Prematch this time was filled with news of one thing. Be it on twitter or Facebook or any media outlet. The Magician was back. Of course he would not be match fit to start the game and of course he has not lived up to the hype to which he arrived. But this is Ozil, everyone knows what he is capable of. Imagine being Arsene Wenger of all people and spending 42.5 Million on a player. You have got to be special for that. Also our Welsh prince Ramsey was back from his injury. To add to all the positivity we also had and I quote "the greatest DM of all time" Flamini back from injury as well. Thankfully Coquelin kept his place in the XI with the back four the most experienced available. David Ospina continued from the FA Cup with Szczesny dropped from the squad for "not disciplinary reasons". K. We had a midfield 3 of Coq, "the older the better" Rosicky and Spanish maestro Cazorla. The front 3 constituted of Chamberlain, our best Alexis and a return from suspension for Oli Giroud.
In the away fixture at Stoke we made a terribly slow start to the game and lost it in that timespan itself conceding within the first minute. But the start here like Theo said after the match "was like a house on fire". With hardly 2 minutes gone Alexis had a brilliant attempt saved by Begovic. No sooner had Stoke thought they were safe Begovic had to make another outstanding save this time to deny Rosicky. Arsenal did have the lead with 6 minutes elapsed as a poor defensive work from Stoke ensured Alexis got the ball back after an initial poor corner but this time his cross found Koscielny who made no mistake with his finish. Soon Stoke players showed their club's mentality with a very unnecessary push by Arnautovic causing a dislocated shoulder to Debuchy, just when he had returned from a long lay off. Begovic then had to make another fine save off Giroud which was sandwiched between attempts by the Ox and by Giroud. Arsenal doubled their lead via some fantastic work by Sanchez as he took the ball past 3 defenders and looked to be attempting a shot to the far corner but ended up giving the eyes to pretty much everybody and finished at the near post. It was his 17th of a marvelous season so far.
Arsenal continued the domination early in the 2nd half after Chamberlain was fouled and Alexis took the resulting freekick. The Stoke players tried to make a fool of the ref by not moving the necessary distance back for the wall. But the freekick took a deflection off the wall and despite Begovic trying to scramble the ball clear he failed. 18th of the season with yet another fantastic display by Alexis. The moment then came for the introduction of Ozil for Giroud and he was given an amazing reception by the fans buoyed to see their hero back. A few moments later Walcott was introduced and he should have made it 4-0 when Alexis on a hattrick put him through but Walcott fluffed at it. In the end 3 was enough. Up the Arsenal!
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (7): Not really tested again. But had to make a decent save in the end.
39: Hector Bellerin (7.5) on for 2:Debuchy: Had a decent game coming for the injured Debuchy. Making a lot of improvements with each game.
4: Per Mertesacker (8): Dealt well with Crouch and most of the attacks thrown at him.
6: Laurent Koscielny (8.5): Scored a goal and had an excellent game shoving everything thrown at him. Let's all pray he stays fit. We need him more than anybody else.
18: Nacho Monreal (8): Played like a warrior throwing himself at everything. Got patched up from an elbow but did not hold back even then. Has been one of the few consistent players this season.
34: Francis Coquelin (8): Showed why he should be picked ahead of Flamini. Keep it up Le Coq.
19: Santi Cazorla (8): Showed some beautiful touches and is showing a nice relationship with Alexis which is obviously helping. Will be interesting to see where he performs now that Ozil is back.
7: Tomas Rosicky (8): Just like wine, the older the better. Never seems to stop running. Him and Alexis pressing must be nightmares for defenders.
15: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (7.5): Did decent with some impressive runs.
17: Alexis Sanchez (9.5): 2 goals and an assist. What a bloody bargain. I would give 30 million only for that work rate he has. To top it, the ability. World Class.
12: Olivier Giroud (6.5): Had 2 decent chances. But showed some good hold up play.
SUBSTITUTES:
14: Theo Walcott (6): He needs time to get the flow back. Had a great chance. He will get better with fitness.
11: Mesut Ozil (7): Welcome back magician!
Hector Bellerin given above.
In the away fixture at Stoke we made a terribly slow start to the game and lost it in that timespan itself conceding within the first minute. But the start here like Theo said after the match "was like a house on fire". With hardly 2 minutes gone Alexis had a brilliant attempt saved by Begovic. No sooner had Stoke thought they were safe Begovic had to make another outstanding save this time to deny Rosicky. Arsenal did have the lead with 6 minutes elapsed as a poor defensive work from Stoke ensured Alexis got the ball back after an initial poor corner but this time his cross found Koscielny who made no mistake with his finish. Soon Stoke players showed their club's mentality with a very unnecessary push by Arnautovic causing a dislocated shoulder to Debuchy, just when he had returned from a long lay off. Begovic then had to make another fine save off Giroud which was sandwiched between attempts by the Ox and by Giroud. Arsenal doubled their lead via some fantastic work by Sanchez as he took the ball past 3 defenders and looked to be attempting a shot to the far corner but ended up giving the eyes to pretty much everybody and finished at the near post. It was his 17th of a marvelous season so far.
Arsenal continued the domination early in the 2nd half after Chamberlain was fouled and Alexis took the resulting freekick. The Stoke players tried to make a fool of the ref by not moving the necessary distance back for the wall. But the freekick took a deflection off the wall and despite Begovic trying to scramble the ball clear he failed. 18th of the season with yet another fantastic display by Alexis. The moment then came for the introduction of Ozil for Giroud and he was given an amazing reception by the fans buoyed to see their hero back. A few moments later Walcott was introduced and he should have made it 4-0 when Alexis on a hattrick put him through but Walcott fluffed at it. In the end 3 was enough. Up the Arsenal!
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (7): Not really tested again. But had to make a decent save in the end.
39: Hector Bellerin (7.5) on for 2:Debuchy: Had a decent game coming for the injured Debuchy. Making a lot of improvements with each game.
4: Per Mertesacker (8): Dealt well with Crouch and most of the attacks thrown at him.
6: Laurent Koscielny (8.5): Scored a goal and had an excellent game shoving everything thrown at him. Let's all pray he stays fit. We need him more than anybody else.
18: Nacho Monreal (8): Played like a warrior throwing himself at everything. Got patched up from an elbow but did not hold back even then. Has been one of the few consistent players this season.
34: Francis Coquelin (8): Showed why he should be picked ahead of Flamini. Keep it up Le Coq.
19: Santi Cazorla (8): Showed some beautiful touches and is showing a nice relationship with Alexis which is obviously helping. Will be interesting to see where he performs now that Ozil is back.
7: Tomas Rosicky (8): Just like wine, the older the better. Never seems to stop running. Him and Alexis pressing must be nightmares for defenders.
15: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (7.5): Did decent with some impressive runs.
17: Alexis Sanchez (9.5): 2 goals and an assist. What a bloody bargain. I would give 30 million only for that work rate he has. To top it, the ability. World Class.
12: Olivier Giroud (6.5): Had 2 decent chances. But showed some good hold up play.
SUBSTITUTES:
14: Theo Walcott (6): He needs time to get the flow back. Had a great chance. He will get better with fitness.
11: Mesut Ozil (7): Welcome back magician!
Hector Bellerin given above.