Arsenal have won three Premier League games in a row for the first time this season thanks to a convincing 5-0 victory over misfiring Aston Villa.
The Gunners broke the deadlock inside the opening 10 minutes through the in-form Olivier Giroud, before further goals were added by Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Hector Bellerin in the second half.
Villa's failure to score means that they have now gone six league games in a row without finding the net, which is a new club record.
Here, Sports Mole picks apart the 90 minutes of action at the Emirates Stadium.
Match statistics
ARSENAL
Shots: 13
On target: 8
Possession: 48%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 6
VILLA
Shots: 9
On target: 2
Possession: 52%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 10
Was the result fair?
Absolutely. Five might be a little harsh on Villa, but they never really threatened Arsenal, despite surprisingly having more of the ball. Arsenal were completely in control and produced a clinical display, also hitting the woodwork twice.
Arsenal's performance
Arsene Wenger's side win their fifth game in a row in all competitions and it was the easiest victory of the lot. Giroud took advantage of Villa's dodgy offside trap to streak clear and find the net in the eighth minute, and it was plain sailing for the home side from then on.
Ozil set up the first with a brilliant volleyed flick and he would find the net not long after half time for his second goal in two games. The German is finding his feet after three months out with a knee ligament problem and making it difficult for Wenger to pick a team, especially with Alexis Sanchez set to return next week.
The Gunners did not miss Sanchez today, with Giroud, Cazorla and Walcott all contributing and grabbing a goal. Defensively, the hosts were solid but were not ever really troubled by Villa. David Ospina returned in goal and made two fine saves to ensure that Villa would not break their duck.
Villa's performance
Really worrying times for Villa as they make it seven games without a win in the league. They have not scored in the last six and remain on just 11 goals for the season. Only Derby County, when they went down in 2007-08, had fewer goals at this stage of a Premier League season.
Today they were never really at the races and could not take the odd chance that came their way. New signing Carles Gil was the one bright spark with some neat touches and inviting deliveries. One in particular, at the end of the first half, should have been headed home by Andreas Weimann, but he could not make clean contact and Ospina saved.
The only other shot on target came with virtually the last kick of the game when subsitute Ashley Westwood was denied and Villa did not deserve to score. Defensively, Paul Lambert will not be happy with the first and second goals, especially as his back line got caught out of position and were punished. Villa stay 16th, three points above the drop zone, but they now have the worst goal difference in the division.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Hector Bellerin: Many of Arsenal's players could have picked up the award today, but it goes to young right-back Bellerin. He sealed the win with the pick of the goals - an arrow-like sidefooter that went in off the far post - and also made some crucial clearances to deny Villa at the back. Arsenal fans will be delighted with the way that he is playing, with first-choice right-back Mathieu Debuchy set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Biggest gaffe
Weimann really should have brought Villa level when he got in front of his man to meet Gil's wicked delivery at the end of the first half. He managed to divert it goalwards, but did not get as much power as he should on it and Ospina was able to keep it out.
Referee performance
Anthony Taylor had a fairly easy afternoon and was right to award Arsenal a penalty for their fourth goal. Substitute Chuba Akpom clearly got to the ball before Brad Guzan and Taylor had no choice but to point to the spot after the American upended the striker.
What next?
Arsenal: The Gunners are in great form and next travel to bitter North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday lunchtime.
Villa: Villa, meanwhile, will find it hard to break their scoring duck when they host league leaders Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.
Pascal Lemesre
