Arsenal player ratings vs West Brom: Aubameyang hat-trick in 6-0 win

Arsenal demolished a youthful West Brom side on Wednesday in the second round of the Carabao Cup as a hat-trick from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was added to with goals by Bukayo Saka, Nicolas Pepe and Alexandre Lacazette for a thumping 6-0 win.

Mikel Arteta opted to make changes to his starting lineup from the side that slumped to a second successive 2-0 defeat against Chelsea in the Premier League, with debuts being handed to Martin Odegaard (for a second time) and Aaron Ramsdale.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returned to the starting lineup after recovering from COVID-19 and there was a surprise inclusion for Bukayo Saka from the start, who looked unfit in the previous outing. Oh, and Sead Kolasinac started at centre-back. Obviously.

A strong opening from the visitors was silenced when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pounced in the box from close range when Bukayo Saka saw an effort parried into his path in the 17th minute.

Arsenal player ratings vs West Brom as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scores a hat-trick in huge 6-0 Carabao Cup win for Mikel Arteta’s side

The captain got himself a second just before half-time in similarly poaching fashion. A quick break saw Nicolas Pepe through on goal, and after his effort struck the inside of the post Aubameyang was on hand to grab his brace.

There was still time for a third before the break, this time as Aubameyang’s attempted overhead kick was also tapped home by a well-placed Pepe.

A beautiful fourth followed shortly after half-time as Martin Odegaard’s delightful flicked one-two with Bukayo Saka ended with the 19-year-old curling home when one-on-one.

And the goals kept coming. Aubameyang got his hat-trick with a gorgeous curling effort, before substitute Alexandre Lacazette got in on the act. Regardless of the opposition, it made for glorious viewing. Just what the doctor ordered.

Arsenal Goalkeeper & Defenders Ratings

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 8/10 – Was feeling the heat of the Arsenal defence being sloppy with West Brom pressing high early on, but as the nerves settled among the team he began to show what he can do with the ball at his feet.

Some neat passes into midfield springboarded Arsenal attacks from deep. Very pleasant to see. Looked comfortable and confident.

Calum Chambers (RB)  – 5/10 – Slowed down the pace of the game far too often and with Pepe making incisive run after incisive run, the like he failed to pick out accordingly.

Rob Holding (CB) – 6/10 – Not the best evening for Holding. The high press unnerved him and his distribution out from the back left plenty to be desired. He’s just not very good at kicking a ball. Slowed the tempo down like many others.

With the pressure off in the second half, he found his passing boots, in fairness.

Sead Kolasinac (CB) – 6/10 – It’s Kolasinac, isn’t it? He’s nothing special nor is he particularly wanted elsewhere. Hopefully this is final game for Arsenal.

However, back in the team and suddenly Arsenal win? Coincidence? Yeah, probably.

Nuno Tavares (LB) – 6/10 – Really struggled building out from the back and regularly got caught out of position as the home side started strongly. It’s unfortunate as there were some really encouraging moments on the ball going forward – his first touch out of his feet looked good at times – which were offset by poor positioning and sloppy passes.

Needs plenty of coaching to complement his favourable traits, the like which were able to come to the fore in the second period.

Arsenal Midfielders Ratings

Mohamed Elneny (CM) – 5/10 – Even the simple passes that you can normally rely on Elneny to make he was struggling to pull off.

The second half was a far cooler affair for him with the game well within Arsenal’s grasp.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 7/10 – It would be easy to pick holes in how slow Arsenal were building out from the back, particularly in the early exchanges, but Xhaka’s defenders were the bigger culprits on the night.

Got control of the game when Arsenal got their noses in front.

Martin Odegaard (AM) – 8/10 – There were a few flicks, half-turn movements and intelligent keeping and releasing moments that truly captured the eye.

Yes, it was West Brom’s kids.

No, we don’t care. He looked silky as anything. And the assist for Saka was gorgeous. Fantastic to have him on board.

Arsenal Forwards Ratings

Nicolas Pepe (RW) – 8/10 – Made an infuriating number of runs in the first half that weren’t picked out, up until he was found in the build-up to the second goal.

Made further threatening runs even in the second half and finally got picked out, laying off a wonderfully weighted assist for Lacazette to score. Looked lively and in the mood throughout.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – 9/10 – Where has this Aubameyang been? Apparently here all along.

It warms the heart to see him playing like this, at centre-forward, making those lethal runs and being in a position where his superb finishing can be best put to use. He looked rapid all night, dangerous in every break and the third goal is one you wouldn’t expect to have seen if the first two didn’t go in.

Bukayo Saka (LW) – 8/10 – So good. Looking back to his usual sharp and influential self.

If there was ever a reminder needed about how magnificent this young man is, then it came tonight. Not that anyone, anywhere, needed to be told again.

His carrying of the ball and majestic movement into space was just superb.

Arsenal Substitutes Ratings

Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 6/10 – Played in a couple positions after coming on and had an easy ride as Arsenal utterly dominated the second half.

Alexandre Lacazette – 7/10 – Apparently one training session is enough to be able to side-foot a delightful effort into the bottom corner.

Looked much sharper than a few hours at London Colney suggested.

Gabriel Martinelli – N/A – Didn’t see a great deal of the ball after replacing Aubameyang.