Kevin Whitcher
Interesting to note, in the light of yesterday’s online exclusive, which placed the blame for the collapse of Arsenal’s 2015/16 campaign on injuries caused by lack of rotation, that the only changes from the PSG trip were only Walcott and Cech. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ospina made way, but Cazorla, Coquelin, Sanchez, Ozil and the back four played their third match in eight days. I think it’s fair to say that, with the possible exception of one of the centre backs, they will all get the night off on Tuesday when Arsenal visit Forest. Granit Xhaka remained on the bench and Olivier Giroud was absent through injury.
The early goal made all the difference. Hull had generally allowed the visitors to have possession and territory, but before 20 minutes were up, pressure told. Bellerin was playing more like a right winger than a full back, and the team were getting more bodies in the penalty area than was the norm, something that needed to happen with the policy of playing someone like Alexis as the nominal central striker. Iwobi’s shot took a deflection off the Chilean and the resultant goal opened things up nicely. We could look forward to a game of football as Hull had to come out and play. Soon after Ozil missed a great chance to double the lead after Iwobi’s shot rebounded to him, but fired over.
Francis Coquelin’s role seems to have changed from what it was, as he played more like Aaron Ramsey in his willingness to get into the opposition penalty area. He doesn’t score, but this might change, as he is certainly shooting now. His strike as half time was getting near led to the penalty that saw the dismissal of Jake Livermore for handball. Arsene Wenger later said he did not know why Alexis took the resultant penalty rather than Cazorla. Which is a bit mystifying. I’ve no problem with this if Alexis scores, but when he produced such a rank spot kick, then questions will inevitably be asked about how decisions are made on these matters. Fortunately, it didn’t have any real influence on the outcome. Hull would play for all of the second half with ten men, and had struggled to threaten the Gunners frequently with a full complement. Cazorla though, invited referee Roger East to level things up with fouls either side of the interval which had the crowd baying for a second yellow. He was fortunate not to get sent off.
After the second of these, it would have been prudent to swap him immediately for Xhaka, but Wenger waited almost 20 minutes before making the switch. It was a gamble that paid off, but Arsenal’s fortune has certainly taken a turn for the better recently. The late penalty against Southampton when the ref should have stopped play, Cavani’s profligacy in Paris, and Cazorla remaining on the pitch yesterday. Lucky Arsenal, anyone? Still, we’ll take it.
The lead became 2-0 in the 55th minute as Iwobi skilfully set up Theo, who may have believed he had scored his 100th competitive goal, but was recorded as an own goal at the number 14’s shot was deflected in. It looked as if it was going just in anyway (and I think may have been given to Walcott in the end). Walcott had a much better game than many he has managed of late. Overall, Arsenal played well, especially after scoring the opening goal and being allowed the space to exploit the gaps that resulted. It was as good a performance as that seen at Watford.
Mike Phelan’s side were offered some encouragement with the award of a penalty when Cech brought down Mbokani and Robert Snodgrass demonstrated how to take a penalty. Roger East originally waved away the appeals for the spot kick, but was corrected by his linesman. Elneny came on for Iwobi to strengthen the midfield.
Arsenal remained composed and didn’t get the jitters, and as the game wound down, fashioned two more goals. A decisive finish from Alexis after Walcott had a shot blocked, followed by the 30 yard screamer from Xhaka, for which he will probably be fined! So one point from the first six has been followed by nine out of nine. Arsenal are five points behind Manchester City, who at the moment look ominous. Pep Guardiola, in his post-match interview for the BBC, expressed he was disappointed with some of his team’s pressing against Bournemouth, after they had hammered them 4-0. Frankly, the Invincibles achievement already looks under threat, looking at the response Guardiola has got from players that previously looked like overpriced turkeys. In addition, I get the feeling that no player is certain of his place in the starting eleven to confirm that complacency has no place at the club (ask Joe Hart and Yaya Toure).
It would seem to confirm that last season was the one that got away for the Gunners. The perfect opportunity to nail a first title since 2004. Sure, it’s early days, and victory over Chelsea next weekend would give cause to optimism that Arsenal can go on a run. Yet, so far, they have only really turned it on against Watford and Hull. So very good yesterday, but more work to do.
The current issue of The Gooner will be on sale at the home matches v Chelsea and Basel. Buyers at the ground also get a free A2 size poster of Alexis Sanchez. The issue can also be bought online here. (The next issue has been delayed until the game against Swansea due to the rain affecting sales at the Southampton match.)
Alternatively, you can simply pay £3.60 (postage included) via online bank transfer to –
Account name: The Gooner
Sort Code: 20-76-90
Account Number: 03004112
Please follow up the payment with an email to [email protected] stating your name and address, ideally with proof of payment such as a screen grab or pdf, or at least the reference that you used for payment (e.g. 260Smith). If the payment was made from an account with a different name, definitely inform us so we can match the received payment.
DIGITAL ISSUES
The Gooner is also available in digital form, through The Gooner App on iPhones and iPads, the Exactly App for Android devices and now Kindle Fire owners can also get their fix by searching the Amazon App Store for The Gooner.
You can also subscribe at www.exacteditions.com and read it through your internet browser as well as receiving a code which will enable you to access issues on all the above devices.
All digital subscriptions include access to our digital back issue library which dates back to August 2010.
