3 home games without a goal and the FA Cup looming. Arsenal had to pick up form and they had to fast. This was the last game of the season, with a point enough to confirm 3rd.
A point would not be enough however for both fans and players. With the final the following weekend, Arsene decided it was time for some rotations.
Szczesny was expected to start, however Ospina started in goal. Bellerin started at RB and Nacho returned to LB. Gabriel replaced Koscielny for a rare start alongside BFG.
Coquelin returned in place of Ramsey, to play alongside Cazorla in deeper roles. Ozil and Alexis started as usual, with Jack starting in RW. Theo replaced Giroud as the striker, with a point to prove.
FIRST HALF
After waiting 3 home games for a goal, the fans had to wait only 5 minutes this time. Theo received a short pass, moved away to the right and blasted a shot into the top corner.
Theo then showed a striker's instinct. Picking a ball that fell kindly to him and toe poking it into the corner.
West Brom could do little to stem the Arsenal tide as Wenger's side played with tempo and intensity, launching wave after wave of attacks.
The third goal was just around the corner, and it was a special moment for Wilshere.
A corner was cleared to the edge of the box and Gabriel teed it up for Wilshere, who blasted a worldie into the top corner. That goal would later be named as the goal of the season.
Alexis whipped a free-kick just over the bar and then teed up Walcott for a Henryesque attempt that Myhill did well to push aside, denying the Arsenal forward a hat-trick inside 23 minutes.
Moments later, some beautiful footwork by Cazorla led to a cross by the Spaniard that Walcott made no mistake tapping in. A hattrick for the Englishman who proved that he can play as a centre forward.
It could have been more, but for Myhill denying Wilshere and Mertesacker.
SECOND HALF
The tempo of the game dropped in the 2nd half. Cazorla brought a brilliant save out of Myhill, with Theo unable to score the rebound.
West Brom pulled one back. It came as a result of an Ospina mistake as the keeper jumped off his line, only to miss the ball and McAuley was there to head it in.
Alex Oxalde-Chamberlain returned from a long term injury as a substitute along with Ramsey.
Ramsey had 2 great attempts to add to the scoreline. A cheeky lob and a right footed curler, one saved by his fellow countryman and one hitting the post.
A game that gave a lot of confidence to players and fans alike and also performances by Theo and Jack giving the manager some thinking to do.
A good way to round off the season. Onto Wembley.
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (5): Poor performance in firstly letting the goal and another howler which the post saved him from.
39: Hector Bellerin (7): Another good performance to round up a break through year.
5: Gabriel (7): Good performance.
4: Per Mertesacker (7): Again not much to do.
3: Kieran Gibbs (6.5): Did Ok with whatever he had to.
34: Francis Coquelin (7): Did not have to contribute too much defensively.
19: Santi Cazorla (7.5): Looked more fluent as usual.
10: Jack Wilshere (8.5): Great goal and a superb performance by our very own.
17: Alexis Sanchez (7.5): Decent game.
11: Mesut Ozil (8): When he is on form, hardly a few players better to watch.
14: Theo Walcott (9): Superb performance. 3 well taken goals and given Giroud's fall in form, seems certain to start at Wembley.
SUBSTITUTES:
16: Aaron Ramsey (7.5): 2 great attempts.
12: Olivier Giroud (6): Never got into the game.
15: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (N/A): Just a case of giving him some minutes.
A point would not be enough however for both fans and players. With the final the following weekend, Arsene decided it was time for some rotations.
Szczesny was expected to start, however Ospina started in goal. Bellerin started at RB and Nacho returned to LB. Gabriel replaced Koscielny for a rare start alongside BFG.
Coquelin returned in place of Ramsey, to play alongside Cazorla in deeper roles. Ozil and Alexis started as usual, with Jack starting in RW. Theo replaced Giroud as the striker, with a point to prove.
FIRST HALF
After waiting 3 home games for a goal, the fans had to wait only 5 minutes this time. Theo received a short pass, moved away to the right and blasted a shot into the top corner.
Theo then showed a striker's instinct. Picking a ball that fell kindly to him and toe poking it into the corner.
West Brom could do little to stem the Arsenal tide as Wenger's side played with tempo and intensity, launching wave after wave of attacks.
The third goal was just around the corner, and it was a special moment for Wilshere.
A corner was cleared to the edge of the box and Gabriel teed it up for Wilshere, who blasted a worldie into the top corner. That goal would later be named as the goal of the season.
Alexis whipped a free-kick just over the bar and then teed up Walcott for a Henryesque attempt that Myhill did well to push aside, denying the Arsenal forward a hat-trick inside 23 minutes.
Moments later, some beautiful footwork by Cazorla led to a cross by the Spaniard that Walcott made no mistake tapping in. A hattrick for the Englishman who proved that he can play as a centre forward.
It could have been more, but for Myhill denying Wilshere and Mertesacker.
SECOND HALF
The tempo of the game dropped in the 2nd half. Cazorla brought a brilliant save out of Myhill, with Theo unable to score the rebound.
West Brom pulled one back. It came as a result of an Ospina mistake as the keeper jumped off his line, only to miss the ball and McAuley was there to head it in.
Alex Oxalde-Chamberlain returned from a long term injury as a substitute along with Ramsey.
Ramsey had 2 great attempts to add to the scoreline. A cheeky lob and a right footed curler, one saved by his fellow countryman and one hitting the post.
A game that gave a lot of confidence to players and fans alike and also performances by Theo and Jack giving the manager some thinking to do.
A good way to round off the season. Onto Wembley.
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (5): Poor performance in firstly letting the goal and another howler which the post saved him from.
39: Hector Bellerin (7): Another good performance to round up a break through year.
5: Gabriel (7): Good performance.
4: Per Mertesacker (7): Again not much to do.
3: Kieran Gibbs (6.5): Did Ok with whatever he had to.
34: Francis Coquelin (7): Did not have to contribute too much defensively.
19: Santi Cazorla (7.5): Looked more fluent as usual.
10: Jack Wilshere (8.5): Great goal and a superb performance by our very own.
17: Alexis Sanchez (7.5): Decent game.
11: Mesut Ozil (8): When he is on form, hardly a few players better to watch.
14: Theo Walcott (9): Superb performance. 3 well taken goals and given Giroud's fall in form, seems certain to start at Wembley.
SUBSTITUTES:
16: Aaron Ramsey (7.5): 2 great attempts.
12: Olivier Giroud (6): Never got into the game.
15: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (N/A): Just a case of giving him some minutes.