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Full-time: Arsenal 5-0 Huddersfield Town

  • Arsenal produce a devastating second-half performance to notch a 12th straight win at the Emirates Stadium and extend their unbeaten home run to 14 matches
  • Alexandre Lacazette breaks the deadlock early on by slotting past Jonas Lossl following an exquisite flick from Aaron Ramsey
  • Huddersfield could have equalised when Petr Cech inadvertently pushed Steve Mounie's deflected shot against the crossbar
  • Substitute Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez both score in the space of 76 second-half seconds after the Gunners, winners of three successive league games for the first time this season, initially struggle to double their lead
  • Mesut Ozil follows his two quickfire assists with the hosts' third goal in under four minutes
  • Giroud finishes the rout by completing his brace from close range
  • The Terriers have now lost six of their last eight matches, including three in a row and four on the spin away from West Yorkshire
  • David Wagner's side have not scored an away goal in any competition for more than 10 hours
  • Recap: Chelsea 1-0 Swansea, Stoke 0-3 Liverpool, Manchester City 2-1 Southampton

That is it from me, thanks for following along and stay tuned to IBTimes UK over the coming hours for post-match reaction from Wenger.

Until the weekend, it's goodbye.

Huddersfield, meanwhile, have now lost six of their last eight matches, including three in a row and four on the bounce away from home.

They are without a road goal in seven games across all competitions, a dreadful run that stretches back some 10-and-a-half hours.

They are at Goodison Park on Saturday to face an Everton side who easily dispatched of West Ham tonight thanks to a Wayne Rooney hat-trick in the final match before Sam Allardyce takes over from David Unsworth.

They may have lived slightly dangerously while waiting a long while to notch a second goal, but Arsenal eventually turn on the style to romp to their 12th consecutive home victory.

Giroud nets a brace from the bench but Ozil is the real star of the show, laying on two quickfire assists and getting his own name on the scoresheet.

Not a bad way to prepare for the visit of Manchester United...

Full-time

Arsenal 5-0 Huddersfield

No, Xhaka's effort deflects behind off Jorgensen for a corner.

Kachunga is whistled for a foul on Wilshere and Arsenal have a free-kick of their own. Can they add a sixth goal in the dying seconds?

Three minutes of added time remain for Huddersfield to endure. The final whistle cannot come soon enough.

Kolasinac brings down Quaner just outside the Arsenal box to give Huddersfield the chance for a late consolation.

Lowe's free-kick lands on the roof of the net.

Kolasinac impressively dances his way through the Huddersfield area but has to watch on as Giroud thrashes a fifth goal beyond Lossl.

Arsenal have been utterly devastating since netting that elusive second.

Olivier Giroud

Goal: Arsenal 5-0 Huddersfield (Olivier Giroud)

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Huddersfield being carved open easily now as Kolasinac and Ozil combine to tee up Giroud, who blasts over the bar.

Arsenal push for a fifth, but Lossl saves from Monreal and Lowe just about avoids scoring an own goal when trying to keep Kolasinac's low cross away from Welbeck.

Another penalty appeal from the home side is waved away as Xhaka claims he was pushed by Quaner inside the box.

Wagner's final change sees veteran midfielder Dean Whitehead replace Hogg. This game got completely away from Huddersfield in a frightful hurry.

With one eye on Manchester United and this victory comfortably wrapped up, Wenger withdraws Ramsey and Sanchez. Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck enter the fray.

Huddersfield send on Williams and Depoitre in place of Mooy and Mounie.

This has quickly descended into a rout. After claiming two assists in quick succession, Ozil gets his name on the scoresheet by steering the ball past Lossl after collecting a fine pass from Ramsey.

That's three goals in just four minutes from Arsenal. Suddenly Wenger's charges are ruthless.

Mesut Ozil

Goal: Arsenal 4-0 Huddersfield (Mesut Ozil)

After waiting so long to notch the second goal, Arsenal score two inside 76 seconds.

Ozil the architect again as his cross from the byline is volleyed home brilliantly from Sanchez. No wonder Wenger does not want to lose either of that pair in January.

Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil

Goal: Arsenal 3-0 Huddersfield (Alexis Sanchez)

Arsenal's pressure finally tells as Ozil plays a nice one-two with Sanchez and squares the ball for Giroud to fire home from close range.

A mountain to climb now for Huddersfield. Hard to say that wasn't coming.

Olivier Giroud

Goal: Arsenal 2-0 Huddersfield (Olivier Giroud)

Koscielny gets to the ball before Mounie can connect with a cross from Swiss right-back Hadergjonaj.

At the other end, Lossl dives on the loose ball as another Arsenal attack breaks down.

Arsenal are coming forward with purpose now and playing some neat football. Sanchez's through pass intended for Ramsey is overhit and goes out of play for a goal kick.

We neglected to mention a few minutes ago that Mooy picked up the first yellow card of the evening for a late sliding challenge on Xhaka that came as Arsenal tried to break.

More astute defending from Schindler, who has been one of the visitors' most influential players this evening.

Giroud, Kolasinac and Sanchez combine to great effect from an Arsenal throw-in on the left, although the Chilean's curling shot fails to hit the target.

Arsenal should double their lead after Ramsey plays in Giroud with an incisive low pass.

The Frenchman, who appeared to come from an offside position, rounds Lossl before shooting against the post and then into the side netting.

A massive let off for Huddersfield.

Arsenal appeal in vain for a penalty after the ball strikes the hand of Quaner, who looked to be pushed by Giroud at a corner.

Woodwork!

Nacho Monreal blocks Mounie's shot and the ball loops up menacingly before being pushed against his own crossbar by Cech, who was trying to divert it over.

Luckily for Arsenal, they escape with a corner. Hairy stuff for the hosts.

A fine stop from Cech to deny Quaner after the former Union Berlin striker is set up by Hogg.

Schindler then ensures that Giroud is unable to finish off a swift Arsenal counter.

Arsenal immediately go in search of the second goal that would all but kill this match as a contest.

Sanchez rolls the ball across the box for Ozil, who slightly hesitates with a shot that is blocked by Cranie.

The second half is now underway. One change from Wenger, who sends on Olivier Giroud in place of Lacazette. The latter did appear to pick up a slight knock in the early stages.

Arsenal will be hoping he is fit for the visit of Manchester United.

Arsenal deservedly lead at the break thanks to that cool early finish from Lacazette, but Wenger will not be happy with those lapses of concentration that could easily have allowed Huddersfield to equalise.

Similar mistakes will be far more ruthlessly punished against Manchester United on Saturday, you imagine.

Certainly some good signs to build upon for Wagner, but Huddersfield's scoreless run on the road is nevertheless extended by another 45 minutes.

Elias Kachunga

Half-time

Arsenal 1-0 Huddersfield

One minute of added time to be played at the end of this first half. Kolasinac wins a late corner that is cleared away by Hogg.

Arsenal concede possession cheaply once again but this time Koscielny reacts to stop Mooy's low through ball from reaching Kachunga.

Xhaka launches a wild shot into the stands. Still 1-0 to Arsenal as we head towards the interval.

Huddersfield pour forward once more and Quaner looks to test Cech with a tame shot that fails to overly exert the Arsenal goalkeeper.

Arsenal have been supremely careless during these last few minutes and are fortunate not to be pegged back. Mounie releases Quaner on the counter-attack, but his delay in shooting allows Koscielny to get back and make a crucial block.

Wenger furious as Arsenal give the ball away in extremely sloppy fashion near their own penalty area.

Kachunga heads Mustafi's errant pass into the path of Mounie, who goes down after colliding with the centre-back.

Muted penalty appeals are waved away by the referee.

Arsenal nearly double their lead after Lacazette reacts first to a Xhaka pass down the left channel and tries to lob Lossl from a difficult angle.

His chip is cleared off the line by Cranie and Kolasinac puts the rebound over from close range under pressure from Schindler.

Martin Cranie

Mustafi goes down in some discomfort after trying to redeem his mistake by nicking in front of Kachunga to collect Mooy's pass and being caught by the DR Congo striker in the process.

He receives treatment before jogging gingerly back onto the field.

Mooy clears Ozil's free-kick after Jorgensen fouls Ramsey.

Great defending from Schindler, who clears into touch under pressure from Lacazette before his dogged determination forces Sanchez into an air shot at the end of an impressive passing move.

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Experienced Huddersfield defender Cranie looks to be struggling with a bit of a knock just at the moment. One to keep an eye on as this match progresses.

Laurent Koscielny fouls Kachunga to give Huddersfield a free-kick in a useful position out on the left wing.

Lowe's whipped delivery is headed over by an unmarked Jorgensen.

Mathias Jorgensen

Xhaka gives the ball away in midfield and allows Huddersfield the chance to push on. However, Mooy's attempted round-the-corner pass towards Kachunga is intercepted.

Mustafi then completely misjudges a long kick from Lossl and is bailed out by Cech, who races off his line to clear the danger.

Huddersfield concede a corner that is headed clear by Mathias "Zanka" Jorgensen. Sanchez then looks completely puzzled as he is rather harshly penalised for handball.

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Huddersfield look to get back on level terms but Lowe's cross intended for record signing Mounie, making his first start in 11 matches, is plucked out of the air by Cech.

Arsenal then create another opening at the other end, only for Sead Kolasinac to pick the wrong option and allow Christopher Schindler to clear his lines.

Ramsey picks out row z with a poor shot from distance after Lowe fails to adequately clear Lacazette's headed knockdown.

Shkodran Mustafi looking for the striker early there.

Quaner cuts inside Granit Xhaka on the right flank and appears to twist his ankle in the process. The ball is kicked out of play so the German forward can receive treatment.

He looks OK to continue.

Well that didn't take long.

Arsenal score with their very first attack, Lacazette firing confidently beyond Jonas Lossl after being teed up by a wonderful back-heeled flick from Aaron Ramsey.

This could be a long night for Huddersfield.

Alexandre Lacazette

Goal: Arsenal 1-0 Huddersfield (Alexandre Lacazette)

A positive start for the Terriers, who win an early corner after Aaron Mooy's probing pass. Petr Cech clears Lowe's corner and Kachunga is flagged for offside.

Referee Graham Scott blows his whistle and Huddersfield, wearing their navy and pink pinstriped alternate kit, get the match off and running.

Can they spring another shock, or will Arsenal cruise to a 12th straight home win?

Scores of empty seats visible across the stadium. It seems many home supporters have decided not to brave the elements tonight.

The teams have emerged from the tunnel on a chilly evening in north London.

Jonathan Hogg, captain for the evening with Smith on the bench, leads Huddersfield out onto the pitch.

Just 10 minutes until kick-off at the Emirates...

He'll have to get on the pitch first...

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The late George Armstrong scored the only goal of the game when these two sides last met in league competition all the way back in January 1972. Arsenal also won the opening First Division fixture that season by a 1-0 scoreline thanks to Ray Kennedy.

They played each other five times in 11 years in the League Cup between 1982-93 and last faced off in an FA Cup fourth round tie in 2011, when Huddersfield were still in the third tier of English football.

Cesc Fabregas came off the bench to notch a late penalty in a 2-1 home win after Alan Lee's header cancelled out an own goal from Peter Clarke and Sebastien Squillaci received his marching orders.

The futures of contract rebels Ozil and Sanchez dominated Wenger's press conference once again on Tuesday morning, with the Frenchman seemingly dismissing the prospect of either player being sold in January.

Yes, I rule it out. I do not think every day about that. At the moment I think, as long as they are here, they have to give their best for the team and for the club.

In my head, they stay until the end of the season. That was the decision taken at the start of the season - unless something unbelievable happens, I don't think it should change.

They are going into the final year of their contract. Will they stay longer? That is impossible to answer today but they have a contract until the end of the season.

Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil
Reuters
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Here is a snapshot of what Wagner had to say when quizzed regarding his team selection in a pre-match interview...

We are the underdog tonight, so we need every advantage. Hopefully fresh legs can be one of those for us.

David Wagner

Huddersfield travel to Everton on Saturday before hosting Brighton & Hove Albion.

A whopping six changes from Wagner, who hands Collin Quaner his maiden Premier League start in place of the banned Van La Parra.

Martin Cranie, Chris Lowe, Florent Hadergjonaj, Elias Kachunga and Steve Mounie also come in as Danny Williams, Scott Malone, Tommy Smith, Tom Ince and Laurent Depoitre all drop to the bench.

As mentioned there, Ozil for Iwobi is Wenger's only alteration from the team that beat Burnley at Turf Moor courtesy of a stoppage-time Alexis Sanchez penalty.

The latter is deemed fit enough for the bench, meaning that Ainsley Maitland-Niles drops out. Still no place in the matchday 18 for Theo Walcott, who has also been ill.

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Official lineups are imminent. Stand by...

Twitter/@OptaJoe

Wagner has hinted at possible changes to his starting XI during a busy period of fixtures, stating that he would not make a final decision until the close of one last training session.

"I have no concerns about our fitness but sometimes it makes sense to bring fresh legs into our group," he said. "We have several options and will decide tomorrow after training."

Huddersfield will definitely be without Rajiv van La Parra, who begins a three-match suspension for violent conduct after being sent off for grabbing at the face of City's Leroy Sane as tempers flared after the final whistle on Sunday.

Rajiv van La Parra

Wagner claims he held a "serious conversation" with the Dutch winger, who has since apologised.

Michael Hefele (achilles), Jon Gorenc Stankovic (knee) and Philip Billing (ankle) are all still sidelined, while Kasey Palmer is not quite ready to make his first-team return just yet.

The Chelsea loanee has been out since August due to a recurring hamstring injury suffered on international duty with the England Under-21s, although made his latest 45-minute cameo for the Under-23s during a behind-closed-doors friendly win over Brentford 'B' on Tuesday morning.

Wagner says Palmer is not available tonight but "will be in the near future".

With a home clash against Manchester United a mere 72 hours away, it remains to be seen if Arsene Wenger will field a full-strength side tonight or instead opt for a team selection somewhere closer to his mixed Europa League/Carabao Cup iterations.

"The most important game is tomorrow night," he told reporters yesterday. "No matter what happens after we have a good chance tomorrow to take three points at home. That is the only thing that matters – I have a big enough squad to deal with the rest after this game."

Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil could return after missing the last-gasp win over Burnley through illness, although Alex Iwobi is doubtful with a dead leg.

Santi Cazorla remains a long-term absentee and he confirmed today that he has had to undergo a ninth operation on a gruelling achilles injury, seemingly torpedoing any hopes of a January comeback.

At this stage you have to wonder if the affable Spanish playmaker, absent since October 2016, will ever play for Arsenal again.

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Having recently replaced north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the top four courtesy of back-to-back victories over Spurs and Burnley, in-form Arsenal are back on duty on a cold November night as they face newly-promoted Huddersfield Town in a league match for the first time since January 1972.

Currently enjoying their best home run since departing Highbury, the Gunners, without a top-flight loss at the Emirates Stadium since January, are unbeaten in 13 matches on their own patch and are looking to rack up a 12th straight home win.

The odds certainly appear to be heavily stacked against last season's Championship play-off winners, who have lost six of 11 since beginning their first top-tier season in 45 years with consecutive triumphs.

Emirates Stadium
Julian Finney/Getty Images

Although tough to beat and capable of producing a shock in front of their own fans, Huddersfield have been wretched on the road since stunning Crystal Palace on opening weekend.

The 13th-place Terriers have lost all of their last three away fixtures - including a 4-0 thumping by Bournemouth - and have not managed a single goal away from home since September, a, six-match, nine-hour run across all competitions which, per Opta, is their worst such sequence since 2002.

However, David Wagner's side, who toppled Manchester United in October, demonstrated again that they can mix it with the big boys on Sunday as they ran dominant leaders Manchester City close before eventually succumbing to a late Raheem Sterling winner.

Stay tuned to IBTimes UK for all the latest team news and minute-by-minute updates after kick-off at 19.45 GMT.