Alexandre Lacazette netted a brace as Arsenal ran 4-1 victors against West Ham United in their Premier League encounter at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.

The home side got off to a good start and dominated early exchanges in the way of possession and chances created.

The Gunners should have opened the scoring in the ninth minute, but defender Laurent Koscielny’s header went wide of the mark.

The Hammers came close to scoring in spectacular fashion two minutes later when Marko Arnautovic latched onto Joe Hart’s goalkick, but the Austrian forward could only guide his effort straight at David Ospina/

Arnautovic and Danny Wellbeck proved wasteful with efforts, particularly the latter as the two teams went into the half-time break deadlocked at 0-0.

Defender Nacho Monreal opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 51st minute when he smashed Granit Xhaka’s corner past Hart.

The visitors opted for a double change in the 60th minute as Joao Mario and Edmilson Fernandes made way for Javier Hernandez and Manuel Lanzini respectively.

The change paid off immediately as Arnautovic put West Ham level four minutes later when he smashed home Lanzini’s ball into the area.

Arsene Wenger opted for his first change of the game and brought onto Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for Alex Iwobi as the Gunners went for an all-out attack.

Arsenal threw everything forward in a bid to grab a late winner and were rewarded through late efforts from Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette as they ran out 3-1 victors.

Photo: Premier League website

-This story originally appeared on SportsClub.co.za