Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal vs Huddersfield Town - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Arsenal's Petr Cech in action
Nov 29 (Reuters) - Arsenal thrashed Huddersfield Town 5-0 on Wednesday as a second-half onslaught helped to maintain their 100 percent home record in the Premier League this season.
Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil were on target as Arsenal scored three times in four minutes after the break to gallop away from a Huddersfield side who had recovered well having fallen behind to Alexandre Lacazette's early opener.
Olivier Giroud came off the bench to score twice as Arsenal remained in fourth place, 12 points behind leaders Manchester City and two ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal vs Huddersfield Town - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Arsenal's Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
The margin of victory flattered Arsenal, although the quality of their finishing was sublime.
"The last 20 minutes became comfortable but I would say Huddersfield did fight very well," manager Arsene Wenger said.
"In the second half I felt at some stages it could have been 1-1 but when we scored the second goal the game changed completely. We played very well, with freedom. We played a bit on the edge before that."
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal vs Huddersfield Town - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Arsenal's Olivier Giroud scores their fifth goal
REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Lacazette scored his seventh league goal of the season after three minutes, tucking home after a superb flick by Aaron Ramsey. The one blot on the evening for Arsenal, however, was a groin injury that prevented Lacazette appearing after the break.
Huddersfield were still in the game but Ozil and Sanchez combined to tee up Giroud for a tap-in in the 68th minute before Ozil found Sanchez who volleyed home.
Ozil capped a great display to beat exposed Huddersfield keeper Jonas Lossl from Ramsey's assist.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal vs Huddersfield Town - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Arsenal's Mesut Ozil celebrates scoring their fourth goal REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
French striker Giroud completed the rout last on from close range as Arsenal warmed up for Saturday's home clash with Manchester United in impressive fashion.
Huddersfield dropped to 14th place, having also been beaten by Manchester City at the weekend, but manager David Wagner was not too worried.
"We have had two defeats, they probably shouldn't be a surprise to anybody but we learn from these defeats and we are mentally strong enough to put this behind us," he said.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal vs Huddersfield Town - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Arsenal's Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring their fifth goal with team mates REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
(Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Ed Osmond)
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal vs Huddersfield Town - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Huddersfield Town’s Jonas Lossl and team mates look dejected after conceding a goal Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal vs Huddersfield Town - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Arsenal's Mesut Ozil celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Alexis Sanchez REUTERS/Dylan Martinez Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal vs Huddersfield Town - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger REUTERS/Dylan Martinez Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal vs Huddersfield Town - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Arsenal's Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring their fifth goal with team mates Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal vs Huddersfield Town - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Arsenal's Olivier Giroud scores their fifth goal Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal vs Huddersfield Town - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Arsenal celebrate a goal REUTERS/Dylan Martinez Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal vs Huddersfield Town - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Arsenal's Jack Wilshere in action with Huddersfield Town’s Danny Williams
REUTERS/Dylan Martinez Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal vs Huddersfield Town - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner applauds fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
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