Today's lineup from Renee Slegers featured a pair of milestones as Laia Codina marked 50 appearances for The Arsenal, while Alessia Russo brought up a century of appearances for The Arsenal.
Arsenal line-up
Anneke Borbe; Smilla Holmberg, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Laia Codina , Taylor Hinds; Kim Little (C) (62), Mariona (78), Alessia Russo (62); Olivia Smith (90+5), Chloe Kelly, Stina Blackstenius (62).
Subs:
Barbara Votikova, Daphne Van Domselaar; Emily Fox (62), Katie McCabe (78), Sophie Harwood (90+5); Victoria Pelova (62), Beth Mead (62).
Following their hard-fought 0-0 draw at home to Manchester United on Wednesday night, Rita Guarino sent out the same side to try and get a result at the Emirates.
West Ham United line-up:
Kinga Szemik; Tuva Hansen, Eva Nyström (69), Estelle Cascarino; Yu Endo, Ines Belloumou (85), Oona Siren, Katie Zelem; Lelia Wandeler (90+9), Shekiera Martinez (85), Ylinn Tennebo (62).
Subs:
Megan Walsh; Ria Bose, Shelina Zadorsky (69), Selin Cemal; Sarah Brasero (90+9), Verena Hanshaw (85), Halle Houssein, Ffion Morgan (62); Seriana Pubel (85).
It only took four minutes for the World Champions to go in front. Chloe Kelly's cross from out wide left seemed to evade everyone, as it bounced past Kinga Szemik into the bottom corner.
Whether it was Kelly's goal or Stina Blackstenius's, who managed to get a touch on the ball, the England winger recorded consecutive goal contributions following her assist for Olivia Smith's goal in the 2-0 win over London City last weekend.
In the end, it was officially given as Chloe Kelly's goal.
Arsenal started very brightly and were in behind the West Ham defence again when Mariona played a ball into the right channel, which Smith chased down. She managed to get the ball across for what seemed like a certain goal for Alessia Russo, but the Hammers got a crucial block in to keep it at 1-0.
An excellent double save from Szemik stopped Arsenal from doubling their advantage. First, Alessia Russo created some space for herself and struck a shot from the edge of the box, which the Polish keeper could only parry to Smith. Her half-volley was then saved once again by Szemik. It fell at the feet of Kelly, but she fired her shot over the crossbar.
The Gunners squandered yet another chance to widen their advantage, with Mariona putting her effort over the bar from close range.
In the opening 20 minutes, Renee Slegers' side had accumulated 1.46 xG, compared to the visitors' 0.02. It was a game where Arsenal were expected to dominate the ball and have the majority of the chances, and they were doing just that.
Mariona played another precise through ball, this time to Blackstenius, who forced Szemik into another save.
Smith's pace helped her fly down the flanks again, pulling the ball back to Blackstenius, but her effort from close range hit the crossbar. The Gunners had been sensational in the opening half hour of the game, but still only had that one-goal advantage.
Blackstenius was played through once more, but once again, Szemik was alert to stop her. She had made a staggering six saves in the first half.
Olivia Smith's speed had been key for Arsenal in the first half; this time, though, her cross to the penalty spot was cleared by West Ham.
Arsenal had been excellent in the first half, but will feel at half-time that they should be out of sight with the chances that they had created.
It took just a minute after half-time for Arsenal to finally double their lead. A lovely one-two between Smith and Holmberg allowed the Swede to deliver a brilliant cross, and Russo glided in from the edge of the box and headed home. She marked her 100th appearance at the club with her sixth goal of the WSL season.
Another brilliant piece of work from the Canadian allowed her to steal the ball off the West Ham defence, her half-volley effort had Szemik beaten, but smashed off the underside of the bar and away.
Getting her brace, Chloe Kelly made it 3-0 to Arsenal with a wonderful strike from the edge of the box. Blackstenius played the ball to her, and all it took was one touch before she curled it into the bottom right corner.
Blackstenius nearly made it 4-0 about a minute later, when she was played through with only Szemik to beat, but somehow Eva Nystrom managed to get a last-ditch tackle in to prevent the Sweden forward from doubling her tally.
Unfortunately, though, it seemed that by making that tackle she had suffered a bad injury, one that required the stretcher to be in use. Following a long period of treatment, both fans clapped her off and play resumed.
In that time, Arsenal made a triple substitution with Russo, Blackstenius, and Kim Little being replaced by Victoria Pelova, Beth Mead, and Emily Fox.
West Ham also made a second change with Wales forward, Ffion Morgan, replacing Ylinn Tennebo.
Kelly had a chance for her second when she found space on the left side of the penalty area, but she could only find the side netting.
Having just come on, Mead used some fantastic footwork in the penalty area to create an opportunity for herself, and it flew just wide of the post.
Arsenal had been dominant in this game, managing 19 shots and nine on target; West Ham had only managed a single shot.
Chloe Kelly got her hat-trick and made it 4-0 to Arsenal, intercepting a pass in her own box from Tuva Hansen before composing herself and placing it past Szemik.
It had been a stunning performance from the World Champions, and they were on their way to a fourth league win in a row.
Beth Mead loves a goal against West Ham, so it was no surprise when she scored in a 5-0 win when she fired into the bottom corner after a lovely one-two with Smilla Holmberg.
Though she didn't manage a goal contribution, Olivia Smith had been brilliant once again for Arsenal, and she was replaced in added time by Sophie Harwood.
As the clock ticked into the 115th minute, Arsenal's defence remained untested throughout the entire game. They still had only conceded four goals at home all season in the WSL.
The Gunners stayed in fourth with the win, but with those two games in hand to still be played. They would have the chance to move up to second next week if they could win the North London Derby on Saturday evening, before Chelsea and Manchester United play next Sunday.
They remained 11 points behind leaders Manchester City, their chances of a first WSL title since 2019 were slim, but they were not impossible just yet.
Next up for Arsenal would be a test of their Champions League mettle, as the holders face an all-London Quarter Final against Chelsea, the first leg being at the Emirates on Tuesday night.