West Brom 0-6 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners hit Baggies for six

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a hat-trick as Arsenal thrashed West Brom 6-0 to breeze through to the third round of the Carabao Cup.

After a few early moments of promise from the hosts, the Gunners took control of things with Aubameyang tapping home the rebound from Bukayo Saka's saved shot. The Arsenal captain doubled his tally soon after, this time picking up the scraps after Nicolas Pepe had raced through and struck the post.

On the stroke of half time the visitors then put the game to bed with Aubameyang this time turning provider for Pepe to make it 3-0.

The one-way traffic continued after the break. First Saka got in on the act, latching onto Martin Odegaard's delicious back heel and firing home.

Aubameyang then completed his hat-trick in fine fashion, cutting in from the left-hand side before curling his effort past the grasp of David Button. Substitute Alexandre Lacazette then added a sixth goal, ghosting into the area and drilling home Pepe's low cross.

Here are your Arsenal player ratings following their easy win...

Arsenal player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) - 8/10 - A really encouraging debut. He made a couple of terrific saves and distributed the ball effectively.

Calum Chambers (RB) - 6/10 - Not entirely convincing at times. Kept his discipline well to guard against West Brom's threat on the counter-attack.

Rob Holding (CB) - 7/10 - Got one piece of marking all wrong early in the first half, being shown a deserved caution. His positioning was spot on after this.

Sead Kolasinac (CB) - 7/10 - One clumsy lunge in the first half showed his rustiness. He largely did well, although West Brom barely tested him after the opening exchanges.

Nuno Tavares (LB) - 7/10 - Pushed extremely high when Arsenal were in possession, which helped free up space for Saka centrally. His defensive responsibilities were minimal.

2. Midfielders

Granit Xhaka (CM) - 8/10 - Picked apart the West Brom defence with several excellent lofted through balls. Provided his defence with protection too, not that they needed it for the most part.

Mohamed Elneny (CM) - 7/10 - A neat and tidy midfield display. He plugged the gaps and kept the ball moving.

Martin Odegaard (AM) - 8/10 - Some bright moments. He is so good at finding space between the lines and keeping possession under pressure. The highlight of his display was a genius assist which created the third goal.

3. Forwards

Nicolas Pepe (RW) - 9/10 - Struck the woodwork twice, denying him a hat-trick. One offside aside, the timing of his runs were excellent and he had a field day dashing in behind the Baggies defence.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) - 10/10 - Had a hand in all three first half goals, showing his poacher's instinct for the first two before turning provider. Completed his hat trick after the break. A much-needed dose of confidence after a disrupted 2020/21 season.

Bukayo Saka (LW) - 9/10 - Made some terrific runs in behind and should have got more service. His piece of skill led to the third goal and his own strike was an excellent one. So important to Arsenal.

4. Substitutes

Ainsley Maitland-Niles - 7/10 - Assisted Aubameyang to seal his hat trick. Also full of energy.

Alexandre Lacazette - 8/10 - Scored about a millisecond after coming on. You can't ask for more than that.

Gabriel Martinelli - 6/10 - Not much to report.