Well, that was much better, wasn't it? A deserved win, a convincing performance from back to front and we end the hectic Christmas schedule on a high note. A really nice day at the office.
The squad
It received an injection of fresh blood, but also managed to maintain a rather serious look about it. Ospina, Bellerin, Chambers, Monreal, Campbell and Walcott all came in (the Englishman starting his first game in exactly a year). The side didn't look unbalanced despite so many changes, however. A team better than Hull could have probably exploited our flanks, as neither Monreal and Campbell, nor Bellerin and Walcott have played together before (and are unlikely to do so anytime soon), but we should given a break already. While City, United and Chelsea entertained themselves with the likes of Sheffield, Yovil and Watford, we played a Premier League side in the very first round.
The first half
We set out with a serious intention of putting Hull under pressure and scoring as early as we can and it's fair to say we succeeded on both fronts.
We could have taken the lead in the 5th minute already, when a one-two between Campbell and Sanchez saw the former clean through, but Joel's effort was saved by Harper. I cannot say it was a particularly bad shot or a spectacular save, so I'll settle for "A player with more minutes would have tucked it away".
Next chance fell to Sanchez (who once again started and once again did so in the CF position). The Chilean was sent through on goal by Walcott and saw his first shot blocked, before sending a rebound over the bar/ However, we went ahead soon after that.
Surprisingly, the goal came from a corner. After the first delivery from Santi was cleared at the near post (just stop crossing there already), Sanchez took the ball from the Spaniard and showed how things should be done. The Chilean's corner was met with a thumping header from Mertesacker and the board lit up to show 1-0 to the Arsenal.
The former Barcelona man could have scored himself after Rosicky sent Alexis through. Sanchez gratefully took the ball, rounded off the keeper and released a powerful low shot, only for McShane to clear if off the line. Sagbo nearly scored an own goal from a resulting corner, but Harper was on hand to save again. Hull, meanwhile, had only Ince's shot to show for their (non-existent) attacking effort. And so the first half ended 1-0.
The second half
For some reason, we decided to put the foot of the gas, gifting Hull the ball. It was as if we dared them to try and score. Only some twenty minutes into the half (when we started attacking again) did it cross my mind that half our squad played a lot of minutes recently and were just tired to produce a stunning attacking display for the whole 90 minutes.
However, not much happened inside these first 20 minutes. Hull looked as toothless as it gets and after it became painfully clear to everyone involved we piled men forward in search for a second goal.
Campbell had the first chance after a cut back from Alexis, but the Costa-Rican dragged his shot wide. Then Walcott entered the scene. First he failed to hit the target after a brilliant through ball from Cazorla sent him one-on-one, then a no less brilliant lofted pass from Coquelin ended up in the hands of Harper after Theo failed to control it. Frustrating finishing from Walcott, no doubt, but he'll put it right after a couple of games. The most important thing is, Theo still times his runs perfectly and gets into these dangerous positions.
Thankfully, we sealed the game eight minutes from time and who do you think did it? That's right, ladies and gentlemen, Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean received the ball with his back to the goal, took one touch to get it under control, then swerved and shot. I'm not even sure he looked where the shot was going. 2-0 and game over.
The aftermath
That's what Arsene said after the game:
"I believe we had a serious performance. We were in control and it was a positive game. We created many chances and it took us a while until the 82nd minute to get the second goal but overall I think we had a serious, positive and good collective performance."
And on not resting Alexis:
"I was tempted. Giroud was still suspended today and I knew that it was an important game for us. In the end, he always feels ready.
I feel that when the players are confident it’s important to keep them going, especially when they have that physical potential. He recovers very quickly and we’ll see. At the moment he doesn’t look in our tests like he has any fatigue problem."
Well, what more can I add? I good win, we are through to the next round, the players will finally have a week's rest and by the time we face Stoke we should have Flamini, Ramsey, Ozil, Giroud and Welbeck all back. Though personally, I wouldn't sub Coquelin for Flamini. Francis has done really well and demonstrated (to me, at least) that he's more capable than Flam in this role.
That's it for now. Back in a couple of days.
Until then
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin). And subscribe by using the e-mail form on the right
The squad
It received an injection of fresh blood, but also managed to maintain a rather serious look about it. Ospina, Bellerin, Chambers, Monreal, Campbell and Walcott all came in (the Englishman starting his first game in exactly a year). The side didn't look unbalanced despite so many changes, however. A team better than Hull could have probably exploited our flanks, as neither Monreal and Campbell, nor Bellerin and Walcott have played together before (and are unlikely to do so anytime soon), but we should given a break already. While City, United and Chelsea entertained themselves with the likes of Sheffield, Yovil and Watford, we played a Premier League side in the very first round.
The first half
We set out with a serious intention of putting Hull under pressure and scoring as early as we can and it's fair to say we succeeded on both fronts.
We could have taken the lead in the 5th minute already, when a one-two between Campbell and Sanchez saw the former clean through, but Joel's effort was saved by Harper. I cannot say it was a particularly bad shot or a spectacular save, so I'll settle for "A player with more minutes would have tucked it away".
Next chance fell to Sanchez (who once again started and once again did so in the CF position). The Chilean was sent through on goal by Walcott and saw his first shot blocked, before sending a rebound over the bar/ However, we went ahead soon after that.
Surprisingly, the goal came from a corner. After the first delivery from Santi was cleared at the near post (just stop crossing there already), Sanchez took the ball from the Spaniard and showed how things should be done. The Chilean's corner was met with a thumping header from Mertesacker and the board lit up to show 1-0 to the Arsenal.
The former Barcelona man could have scored himself after Rosicky sent Alexis through. Sanchez gratefully took the ball, rounded off the keeper and released a powerful low shot, only for McShane to clear if off the line. Sagbo nearly scored an own goal from a resulting corner, but Harper was on hand to save again. Hull, meanwhile, had only Ince's shot to show for their (non-existent) attacking effort. And so the first half ended 1-0.
The second half
For some reason, we decided to put the foot of the gas, gifting Hull the ball. It was as if we dared them to try and score. Only some twenty minutes into the half (when we started attacking again) did it cross my mind that half our squad played a lot of minutes recently and were just tired to produce a stunning attacking display for the whole 90 minutes.
However, not much happened inside these first 20 minutes. Hull looked as toothless as it gets and after it became painfully clear to everyone involved we piled men forward in search for a second goal.
Campbell had the first chance after a cut back from Alexis, but the Costa-Rican dragged his shot wide. Then Walcott entered the scene. First he failed to hit the target after a brilliant through ball from Cazorla sent him one-on-one, then a no less brilliant lofted pass from Coquelin ended up in the hands of Harper after Theo failed to control it. Frustrating finishing from Walcott, no doubt, but he'll put it right after a couple of games. The most important thing is, Theo still times his runs perfectly and gets into these dangerous positions.
Thankfully, we sealed the game eight minutes from time and who do you think did it? That's right, ladies and gentlemen, Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean received the ball with his back to the goal, took one touch to get it under control, then swerved and shot. I'm not even sure he looked where the shot was going. 2-0 and game over.
The aftermath
That's what Arsene said after the game:
"I believe we had a serious performance. We were in control and it was a positive game. We created many chances and it took us a while until the 82nd minute to get the second goal but overall I think we had a serious, positive and good collective performance."
And on not resting Alexis:
"I was tempted. Giroud was still suspended today and I knew that it was an important game for us. In the end, he always feels ready.
I feel that when the players are confident it’s important to keep them going, especially when they have that physical potential. He recovers very quickly and we’ll see. At the moment he doesn’t look in our tests like he has any fatigue problem."
Well, what more can I add? I good win, we are through to the next round, the players will finally have a week's rest and by the time we face Stoke we should have Flamini, Ramsey, Ozil, Giroud and Welbeck all back. Though personally, I wouldn't sub Coquelin for Flamini. Francis has done really well and demonstrated (to me, at least) that he's more capable than Flam in this role.
That's it for now. Back in a couple of days.
Until then
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin). And subscribe by using the e-mail form on the right
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