Arsenal 5-0 Huddersfield: Mesut Ozil provides two assists and a goal as Olivier Giroud bags brace off the bench in rampant home victory which sees Gunners score three in four second-half minutes

  • Arsenal took the lead inside three minutes as Alexandre Lacazette lashed home from an Aaron Ramsey assist   
  • The striker was brought off at half time for Olivier Giroud after appearing to pick up an injury in the first half
  • Giroud then tucked home Arsenal's second after a fluid move from Arsenal saw Mesut Ozil find the striker  
  • Alexis Sanchez made the game safe just a minute later when he smashed home Ozil's pinpoint cross
  • Ozil then grabbed a goal of his own by dinking home a pass from Ramsey for Arsenal's fourth of the night
  • Giroud scored his second of the night with three minutes remaining after a strong run from Sead Kolasinac
  • AS IT HAPPENED: Sportsmail's DAN RIPLEY provided live updates Wednesday's Premier League action live 

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With three points and a 12th successive Premier League home win zipped into the pocket of his quilted coat, Arsene Wenger ventured to his feet to perform a spot of touchline ball juggling.

Arsenal supporters roared their approval as Wenger's collected the loose ball and showcased his fancy footwork to go with his shiny footwear before rolling it back into play.

What a difference three goals in four minutes makes.

Olivier Giroud toasts his second and Arsenal's fifth as he completed the rout in the 87th minute with a simple finish

Olivier Giroud toasts his second and Arsenal's fifth as he completed the rout in the 87th minute with a simple finish

Mesut Ozil is all smiles as he is congratulated by Shkodran Mustafi after adding a goal to his two assists on Wednesday night

Mesut Ozil is all smiles as he is congratulated by Shkodran Mustafi after adding a goal to his two assists on Wednesday night

Alexandre Lacazette celebrates with Alexis Sanchez and Sead Kolasinac after giving Arsenal the lead inside three minutes

Alexandre Lacazette celebrates with Alexis Sanchez and Sead Kolasinac after giving Arsenal the lead inside three minutes

MATCH FACTS, RATINGS, TABLE AND MATCH ZONE

Arsenal: Cech; Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Bellerin, Xhaka, Ramsey (Wilshere 73), Kolasinac, Ozil, Sanchez (Welbeck 73), Lacazette (Giroud 46) 


Goals: Lacazette 3, Giroud 69, 87, Sanchez 70, Ozil 72 

Subs not used: Mertesacker, Ospina, Iwobi, Coquelin

Huddersfield: Lossl, Schindler, Jorgensen, Cranie, Hadergjonaj, Mooy (Williams 74), Hogg (Whitehead 78), Lowe, Kachunga, Quaner, Mounie (Depoitre 74)

Bookings: Mooy 

Subs not used: Smith, Malone, Ince, Green.

Season at a glance

  • Premier League
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  • Scottish Premiership
  • Scottish Div 1
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Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring for Arsenal with his strike after 2 minutes and 43 seconds. CLICK HERE for more from MATCH ZONE.

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Not long before, Wenger's brow had been firmly furrowed as the home crowd grew increasingly frustrated by Huddersfield's stubborn resistance.

'I was not pleased with everything,' said Wenger. 'We stated well and slowly we lost the urgency in our game and in the second-half we gave them one or two chances.

'We missed the second and at 1-0 we played with a big fear. The pass didn't come early enough and we were inhibited.

'When we scored the second everyone was suddenly in the mood, passing it quicker. It became difficult for Huddersfield and they collapsed a little bit. We played with freedom, drive and creativity. And our link play was fantastic to watch in the last 20 minutes.'

Lacazette fired home the opener by finishing off a swift passing move from the Gunners which began inside their own half

Lacazette fired home the opener by finishing off a swift passing move from the Gunners which began inside their own half

Lacazette celebrates with Ozil as he toasts scoring the opening goal of the game after just 2 minutes and 43 seconds

Lacazette celebrates with Ozil as he toasts scoring the opening goal of the game after just 2 minutes and 43 seconds

The Frenchman's strike was his seventh goal for Arsenal since joining from Lyon for a club-record fee in the summer window

The Frenchman's strike was his seventh goal for Arsenal since joining from Lyon for a club-record fee in the summer window

Alex Lacazette opened the scoring inside three minutes after a neat flick by Aaron Ramsey but the visitors from Yorkshire refused to crumble.

Lacazette was unable to complete the game after picking up a groin injury in the first-half which the Arsenal boss admits will rule him out of Saturday's clash against Manchester United.

Olivier Giroud came on to replace him and scored twice, his first was a near-post finish to convert a wonderful move of slick passes orchestrated by Mesut Ozil, who could simply do no wrong during this golden phase of the second-half.

Alexis Sanchez swept in number three on the half-volley from another Ozil cross from the right.

Ozil and Hector Bellerin work together to dispossess Huddersfield's Australian midfielder Aaron Mooy on Wednesday evening

Ozil and Hector Bellerin work together to dispossess Huddersfield's Australian midfielder Aaron Mooy on Wednesday evening

Arsenal defender Mustafi and Huddersfield forward Steve Mounie compete to win a high ball during the first half

Arsenal defender Mustafi and Huddersfield forward Steve Mounie compete to win a high ball during the first half

Jonathan Hogg passes under pressure from Sanchez as Huddersfield tried to gain a foothold in the match after falling behind

Jonathan Hogg passes under pressure from Sanchez as Huddersfield tried to gain a foothold in the match after falling behind

Aaron Ramsey reacts after missing a chance to make it 2-0 as Arsenal dominated the opening exchanges at the Emirates

Aaron Ramsey reacts after missing a chance to make it 2-0 as Arsenal dominated the opening exchanges at the Emirates

Ozil then found the net, a popular and deserved goal which was finished with a typically casual dink over goalkeeper Jonas Lossl following Ramsey's forward pass.

Ramsey and Granit Xhaka excelled in Arsenal's midfield but it was Ozil's name which was sung heartily around the Emirates Stadium.

'He's added something that people want to see,' said Wenger. 'That he can fight and win the ball back and once people see that, they're behind you.

'Everybody knows he's a great football player. He has always covered the distances. He has shown also that he can fight. The judgments are sometimes harsh in this job but overall the majority of people here love him and have always loved him.'

Martin Cranie is at full stretch to clear Lacazette's effort off the line as his goalkeeper Jonas Lossl looks on helplessly

Martin Cranie is at full stretch to clear Lacazette's effort off the line as his goalkeeper Jonas Lossl looks on helplessly

Lacazette shows his frustration after his chipped effort from a tight angle was cleared by Huddersfield defender Cranie 

Lacazette shows his frustration after his chipped effort from a tight angle was cleared by Huddersfield defender Cranie 

Huddersfield manager David Wagner was left fuming on the touchline after the away side saw a penalty shout turned down

Huddersfield manager David Wagner was left fuming on the touchline after the away side saw a penalty shout turned down

Mounie fired a shot on goal which was saved by Cech after Arsenal's defence switched off to allow him the opportunity

Mounie fired a shot on goal which was saved by Cech after Arsenal's defence switched off to allow him the opportunity

Giroud completed the romp with his second in the 87th minute assisted by a rampaging run by Sead Kolasinac into the penalty area.

Five goals gave the scoreline a luxury feel and Arsenal have reinforced their position inside the top-four as they search for a ticket back to the Champions League.

Early season fears have proved unfounded although United are sure to provide a different sort of test.

Huddersfield, despite offering so much to admire, are sinking towards danger, without a goal away from home in the league since the opening day of the season, at Crystal Palace.

They impressed in defeat against leaders Manchester City on Sunday but David Wagner decided to make six changes, claiming 'fresh legs' would be needed against Arsenal.

Giroud, on as a half-time substitute for Lacazette, curses his luck after seeing his effort rebound off the post

Giroud, on as a half-time substitute for Lacazette, curses his luck after seeing his effort rebound off the post

But Giroud was celebrating soon after when he finished off a wonderful passing move to double Arsenal's advantage

But Giroud was celebrating soon after when he finished off a wonderful passing move to double Arsenal's advantage

The substitute pumps his fists in celebration after scoring the first of three goals in four second-half minutes for Arsenal

The substitute pumps his fists in celebration after scoring the first of three goals in four second-half minutes for Arsenal

Wagner's plan was not helped by the early goal by Lacazette, his seventh of his first Premier League campaign, and he was denied a second by Martin Cranie's clearance from the goal line.

Huddersfield, who were seeking victory at Arsenal for the first time since 1954, regrouped and made it to the sanctuary of half-time and enjoyed their best period straight after the interval.

Petr Cech saved with his right foot to keep out a low drive by Colin Quaner which was destined for the bottom corner.

Then Cech almost pushed the ball into his own goal as he tried to tidy up after a shot by Steve Mounie was sent spinning high into the air by a deflection from Nacho Monreal.

Sanchez fired home barely two minutes later after an exquisite cross from Ozil found the Chilean inside the penalty area

Sanchez fired home barely two minutes later after an exquisite cross from Ozil found the Chilean inside the penalty area

Sanchez leads the way as Arsenal scored three quick-fire goals to finish off Huddersfield at the Emirates

Sanchez leads the way as Arsenal scored three quick-fire goals to finish off Huddersfield at the Emirates

Arsenal escaped and Giroud missed a sitter before finally releasing the pressure and condemning Huddersfield to another heavy defeat on the road.

They have not scored an away goal in the Premier League since the opening day of the season and are becoming leakier at the back, conceding four at Bournemouth and three at Liverpool before this hammering at Arsenal.

Next they travel to rejuvenated Everton with Wagner keen to keep spirits high.

'We are still in a position which is acceptable to us,' said the Huddersfield boss. 'We have to do things better, especially to make use of the chances when we play away.

'Nothing really worries me because we lost at Arsenal and a few days before against Manchester City.

'We are strong enough to leave these defeats behind us very quickly and prepare for the next one. I have every confidence we can stay up.'   

Ozil dinked over Lossl after being slotted through by an incisive pass from Ramsey for Arsenal's third in four minutes

Ozil dinked over Lossl after being slotted through by an incisive pass from Ramsey for Arsenal's third in four minutes

Ozil capped off a brilliant second-half display with a goal of his own as Arsenal bagged five against Huddersfield

Ozil capped off a brilliant second-half display with a goal of his own as Arsenal bagged five against Huddersfield

Christopher Schindler and Lossl are left dejected after Huddersfield collapsed during the second half at the Emirates

Christopher Schindler and Lossl are left dejected after Huddersfield collapsed during the second half at the Emirates

Giroud fired home after Kolasinac's powerful run saw the ball break to the substitute to bag his brace off the bench

Giroud fired home after Kolasinac's powerful run saw the ball break to the substitute to bag his brace off the bench