Last week's draw put Arsenal's winning streak on hold. They were still unbeaten and still the most inform team in the league.
They were up against a Hull side battling relegation. This Hull side had just beaten Liverpool at the KC Stadium and were confident of doing the same to us as well.
Arsenal started yet again with an unchanged side, Ospina in goal. Mertesacker and Koscielny in central defence. Bellerin and Nacho at full backs. It was Koscielny's 200th game for the club as well.
Coquelin and Santi continued in midfield along with Ozil. Ramsey yet again started at RW with Alexis in the left. Giroud was the lone striker.
FIRST HALF
The first save Harper had to make was of his own player! Huddlestone almost scoring the most exquisite of own goals, flicking Bellerin's cross into his keeper's hands.
Harper then had to make a superb save to deny Sanchez, after he combined beautifully with Ozil.
Hull should have had the lead soon after. Brady whipped in a fantastic cross to Aluko, who headed back towards Doye when he was better positioned to shoot.
Aluko was made to rue that miss soon after. Ozil robbed Huddlestone midway inside the Hull half, passed to Alexis who ran at the Hull defence. He was tripped by Jake Livermore but got to his feet to curl the resulting 20-yard free-kick into the roof of the net, via a deflection.
Arsenal doubled their lead following a stunning pass by Cazorla. He picked out Ramsey, who again via a deflected attempt gave Arsenal another goal.
In an open end to the half, N’Doye, Ozil and Alexis all saw good opportunities go to waste before the Chilean added his second in stoppage time.
Ozil again winning possession in midfield to feed Ramsey, who then put Sanchez through with a perfect pass. Sanchez rounded Harper to give Arsenal a 3-0 lead in probably what was Arsenal's finest half of the season in terms of performance.
SECOND HALF
After a first half during which Hull were exposed badly, it was understandable for them to start in a more disciplined manner.
The visitors initially continued to make the better opportunities however, and after playing a one-two with Cazorla, Ramsey’s shot flew just wide of the post.
Hull pulled a goal back on the 57th minute. Koscielny was left clattered after a challenge by David Meyler. While the entire Arsenal team appealed in vain, the ball was fed to Elmohamady on the right flank and the winger took full advantage of Koscielny’s absence, whipping in an inviting cross for Stephen Quinn to powerfully head past Ospina.
Hull could have pulled another back after Elmohamady put in a wonderful cross yet again, this time Paul McShane could not finish the chance.
Hull sensed a comeback, Arsenal sensed a breakaway goal. The home defence had struggled to contain Alexis and, after meeting Ozil’s exquisite flick (still needs explanation), the forward was only denied a first Gunners hat-trick by Harper, who saved well twice in quick succession.
Wilshere was introduced for a first appearance since November 22. He put in a cameo filled with energy and drive, with some fantastic dribbling in there as well.
It was an added positive to another very good Arsenal performance.
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (7): Not much work to do, did what ever he had to.
39: Hector Bellerin (7.5): Another good game for the youngster. Is he our first choice now?
6: Laurent Koscielny (7): Good solid game for the Frenchman.
4: Per Mertesacker (7): Another solid game for the German who has improved over the second half of the season.
18: Nacho Monreal (7.5): Wins a lot of headers, was excellent defensively again.
34: Francis Coquelin (8): Great game again, with some fantastic tackles.
19: Santi Cazorla (8.5): Put 2 world class passes in the game that should have been converted. One was. Excellent wizardry by the little magician.
16: Aaron Ramsey (8.5): Scored a good goal and put in a superb assist. Excellent by the Welshman who has been involved in 7 goals in the last 7 games.
17: Alexis Sanchez (9): Excellent game after being rather poor against Chelsea. Scored 2 and could have had a hattrick.
11: Mesut Ozil (9): Stunning to say the least. May not be getting the numbers in terms of assists, but literally everything goes through him. Fantastic player. Superbly won the ball twice as well, leading to 2 goals!
12: Olivier Giroud (6): Again struggled to get a hold in the game. Maybe needs a rest?
SUBSTITUTES:
10: Jack Wilshere (7.5): Great cameo by Wilsh, filled with energy and drive.
14: Theo Walcott (N/A): Again not given enough time to really impact the game, did miss a chance at end though.
HIGHLIGHTS
They were up against a Hull side battling relegation. This Hull side had just beaten Liverpool at the KC Stadium and were confident of doing the same to us as well.
Arsenal started yet again with an unchanged side, Ospina in goal. Mertesacker and Koscielny in central defence. Bellerin and Nacho at full backs. It was Koscielny's 200th game for the club as well.
Coquelin and Santi continued in midfield along with Ozil. Ramsey yet again started at RW with Alexis in the left. Giroud was the lone striker.
FIRST HALF
The first save Harper had to make was of his own player! Huddlestone almost scoring the most exquisite of own goals, flicking Bellerin's cross into his keeper's hands.
Harper then had to make a superb save to deny Sanchez, after he combined beautifully with Ozil.
Hull should have had the lead soon after. Brady whipped in a fantastic cross to Aluko, who headed back towards Doye when he was better positioned to shoot.
Aluko was made to rue that miss soon after. Ozil robbed Huddlestone midway inside the Hull half, passed to Alexis who ran at the Hull defence. He was tripped by Jake Livermore but got to his feet to curl the resulting 20-yard free-kick into the roof of the net, via a deflection.
Arsenal doubled their lead following a stunning pass by Cazorla. He picked out Ramsey, who again via a deflected attempt gave Arsenal another goal.
In an open end to the half, N’Doye, Ozil and Alexis all saw good opportunities go to waste before the Chilean added his second in stoppage time.
Ozil again winning possession in midfield to feed Ramsey, who then put Sanchez through with a perfect pass. Sanchez rounded Harper to give Arsenal a 3-0 lead in probably what was Arsenal's finest half of the season in terms of performance.
SECOND HALF
After a first half during which Hull were exposed badly, it was understandable for them to start in a more disciplined manner.
The visitors initially continued to make the better opportunities however, and after playing a one-two with Cazorla, Ramsey’s shot flew just wide of the post.
Hull pulled a goal back on the 57th minute. Koscielny was left clattered after a challenge by David Meyler. While the entire Arsenal team appealed in vain, the ball was fed to Elmohamady on the right flank and the winger took full advantage of Koscielny’s absence, whipping in an inviting cross for Stephen Quinn to powerfully head past Ospina.
Hull could have pulled another back after Elmohamady put in a wonderful cross yet again, this time Paul McShane could not finish the chance.
Hull sensed a comeback, Arsenal sensed a breakaway goal. The home defence had struggled to contain Alexis and, after meeting Ozil’s exquisite flick (still needs explanation), the forward was only denied a first Gunners hat-trick by Harper, who saved well twice in quick succession.
Wilshere was introduced for a first appearance since November 22. He put in a cameo filled with energy and drive, with some fantastic dribbling in there as well.
It was an added positive to another very good Arsenal performance.
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (7): Not much work to do, did what ever he had to.
39: Hector Bellerin (7.5): Another good game for the youngster. Is he our first choice now?
6: Laurent Koscielny (7): Good solid game for the Frenchman.
4: Per Mertesacker (7): Another solid game for the German who has improved over the second half of the season.
18: Nacho Monreal (7.5): Wins a lot of headers, was excellent defensively again.
34: Francis Coquelin (8): Great game again, with some fantastic tackles.
19: Santi Cazorla (8.5): Put 2 world class passes in the game that should have been converted. One was. Excellent wizardry by the little magician.
16: Aaron Ramsey (8.5): Scored a good goal and put in a superb assist. Excellent by the Welshman who has been involved in 7 goals in the last 7 games.
17: Alexis Sanchez (9): Excellent game after being rather poor against Chelsea. Scored 2 and could have had a hattrick.
11: Mesut Ozil (9): Stunning to say the least. May not be getting the numbers in terms of assists, but literally everything goes through him. Fantastic player. Superbly won the ball twice as well, leading to 2 goals!
12: Olivier Giroud (6): Again struggled to get a hold in the game. Maybe needs a rest?
SUBSTITUTES:
10: Jack Wilshere (7.5): Great cameo by Wilsh, filled with energy and drive.
14: Theo Walcott (N/A): Again not given enough time to really impact the game, did miss a chance at end though.
HIGHLIGHTS