What a win. I'm still buzzing from the game. We took matters into our hands from the beginning, scored a 46th minute goal, soaked up a bit of pressure in the second half without allowing West Ham to create anything dangerous and then finished them off with the precision of a surgeon Ozil. Quality game from back to front.
I usually go over the performance as a whole in my review, but this evening I'm in the mood to try something different. It's most likely a one-off, like something I did here, so don't worry if it doesn't come off. It won't become a tradition.
Up to the point, though: instead of writing a usual review, I'll ramble a bit about every on-pitch player of ours and how he fared. Starting with
David Ospina
The Colombian regained his rightful place between the sticks after sitting out the FA Cup clash and this decision is both unsurprising and welcome. Luckily, Ospina had little work to do. Apart from that first half save from Nolan/Noble (couldn't bother to look up the name), the Colombian only had to take goal-kicks. I enjoyed this simple action immensely (as did he, I suspect), because every time Ospina cleared the ball the routine "Oooooospina" erupted from the stands. There was a heart-in-the-mouth moment when David went down after a collision with Sakho, only for the former to get up to Szczesny's frustration. Ospina's just playing with the Pole.
Calum Chambers
One thing I haven't taken into account when writing a preview is that Bellerin may need a rest. I was quick to forget the Spaniard in only 19 and so three games inside eight days may be one too many. Thankfully, Arsene didn't forget that and put on Chambers. He may also have done this as the Englishman's approach is more conservative and as such should compensate for Walcott's tendency to neglect his defensive duties.
And Chambers put in a shift. I think we started to forget a little bit just how good Calum is, this was a gentle reminder. Bar one or two moments in the first half (Jarvis cross stands out), he was solid and his delivery was such that Ramsey and Alexis really could have done better. Will give Arsene a selection headache ahead of the Monaco game.
Koscielny and Mertesacker
Their bromance is certainly much more touching than Reus and Goetze, to say nothing of The Twilight. Basically, any romance is better than The Twilight saga. The moment that demonstrates how nicely these two dovetail is when Kos blocked Sakho's path and Mert blocked the shot itself.
However, Koscielny deserves a special mention. I admire his nerves and his ability to cleverly distribute the ball even when under pressure. Kos the boss.
Monreal
Solid, good in the tackle and more cautious going forward this time. Will be remembered for a couple of good sliding tackles and that brilliant interception late in the second half (we were 1-0 at the point, unless I'm mistaken). Deserves a start against Monaco.
Coquelin
The usual bite in the tackle, threw his weight about, made some clever through-the-line passes and one magnificent cross to switch the play, while getting the ball to Danny. The sliding tackle in the 90th minute to cleanly get the ball sums him up. Warrior.
Ramsey
If there were any misgivings Cazorla is a better candidate for that deeper position, the Welshman firmly tilted the scales in his favour. A goal, an assist, 4 shots, 5 chances created, 3 tackles and 3 interceptions. Covered every bit of grass that was there to cover. Some reports suggests he walked on water after the game.
Ozil
Not long ago I was looking for one adjective to describe him and I found it: sublime. But I think another word, a noun, describes Ozil even better: a visionary. He didn't get an assist, but that first goal was of his making. Probably should have shot or squared it to Giroud late on, instead of trying to pick out Walcott, but what the hell. He's brilliant, if you can't admire him, you are dead inside.
Walcott
Not his best game. Missed three big chances. The first one still drives me up a wall. Theo looks a player low on confidence and motivation and this doesn't bode well for the future. Completely disappeared in the second half and was rightly taken off for Cazorla. It was Theo's chance to establish himself, he seems to have wasted it.
Alexis
Not his best game either, though he still could have scored twice. Both times was denied by brilliant saves from Adrian. Looked a bit jaded in the second half and came off for Welbeck. Hope the Chilean is firing on all cylinders come Tuesday.
Giroud
Splendid. A cracker of a shot for the first, a dummy and a one-two for the assist and a magnificent flick to Cazorla in the build-up for the third. The Frenchman now has 14 goals in 24 games, three less than Costa, but the Brazilian played in 32. He also has 11 league goals, just two or three less than Sanchez. Not bad for a "lamp post", a "tree" and an "average striker". Not bad at all.
Cazorla, Welbeck and Flamini
All contributed to the cause. The Spaniard bagged an assist, Welbeck was a live wire up and down the left flank (and was unlucky to have been denied a headed goal right at the death) and Flamini, well, scored. All the subs had a tangible impact. Santi will most likely be reinstated against Monaco, Welbeck should be too, in my opinion, while Flamini just came on to shore things up and allow Ozil a breather.
The aftermath
I'd like to stress once again that this was, above all, a team performance at the highest level. Though I've described each player, we all know how everyone's brilliant in a win and atrocious in a loss. Each player is only as good as the guy next to him, so going over individual performances was just another way of writing a post, rather than suggesting the game was made up of individual players and their actions. It was a collective effort and a most brilliant one at that.
This win cements our third place and allows us to move within one point of City (who have lost to Burnley). Now onto Monaco.
Back with a preview. In the meantime, enjoy our eight consecutive home wins and the goodies they bring.
Until later
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)
I usually go over the performance as a whole in my review, but this evening I'm in the mood to try something different. It's most likely a one-off, like something I did here, so don't worry if it doesn't come off. It won't become a tradition.
Up to the point, though: instead of writing a usual review, I'll ramble a bit about every on-pitch player of ours and how he fared. Starting with
David Ospina
The Colombian regained his rightful place between the sticks after sitting out the FA Cup clash and this decision is both unsurprising and welcome. Luckily, Ospina had little work to do. Apart from that first half save from Nolan/Noble (couldn't bother to look up the name), the Colombian only had to take goal-kicks. I enjoyed this simple action immensely (as did he, I suspect), because every time Ospina cleared the ball the routine "Oooooospina" erupted from the stands. There was a heart-in-the-mouth moment when David went down after a collision with Sakho, only for the former to get up to Szczesny's frustration. Ospina's just playing with the Pole.
Calum Chambers
One thing I haven't taken into account when writing a preview is that Bellerin may need a rest. I was quick to forget the Spaniard in only 19 and so three games inside eight days may be one too many. Thankfully, Arsene didn't forget that and put on Chambers. He may also have done this as the Englishman's approach is more conservative and as such should compensate for Walcott's tendency to neglect his defensive duties.
And Chambers put in a shift. I think we started to forget a little bit just how good Calum is, this was a gentle reminder. Bar one or two moments in the first half (Jarvis cross stands out), he was solid and his delivery was such that Ramsey and Alexis really could have done better. Will give Arsene a selection headache ahead of the Monaco game.
Koscielny and Mertesacker
Their bromance is certainly much more touching than Reus and Goetze, to say nothing of The Twilight. Basically, any romance is better than The Twilight saga. The moment that demonstrates how nicely these two dovetail is when Kos blocked Sakho's path and Mert blocked the shot itself.
However, Koscielny deserves a special mention. I admire his nerves and his ability to cleverly distribute the ball even when under pressure. Kos the boss.
Monreal
Solid, good in the tackle and more cautious going forward this time. Will be remembered for a couple of good sliding tackles and that brilliant interception late in the second half (we were 1-0 at the point, unless I'm mistaken). Deserves a start against Monaco.
Coquelin
The usual bite in the tackle, threw his weight about, made some clever through-the-line passes and one magnificent cross to switch the play, while getting the ball to Danny. The sliding tackle in the 90th minute to cleanly get the ball sums him up. Warrior.
Ramsey
If there were any misgivings Cazorla is a better candidate for that deeper position, the Welshman firmly tilted the scales in his favour. A goal, an assist, 4 shots, 5 chances created, 3 tackles and 3 interceptions. Covered every bit of grass that was there to cover. Some reports suggests he walked on water after the game.
Ozil
Not long ago I was looking for one adjective to describe him and I found it: sublime. But I think another word, a noun, describes Ozil even better: a visionary. He didn't get an assist, but that first goal was of his making. Probably should have shot or squared it to Giroud late on, instead of trying to pick out Walcott, but what the hell. He's brilliant, if you can't admire him, you are dead inside.
Walcott
Not his best game. Missed three big chances. The first one still drives me up a wall. Theo looks a player low on confidence and motivation and this doesn't bode well for the future. Completely disappeared in the second half and was rightly taken off for Cazorla. It was Theo's chance to establish himself, he seems to have wasted it.
Alexis
Not his best game either, though he still could have scored twice. Both times was denied by brilliant saves from Adrian. Looked a bit jaded in the second half and came off for Welbeck. Hope the Chilean is firing on all cylinders come Tuesday.
Giroud
Splendid. A cracker of a shot for the first, a dummy and a one-two for the assist and a magnificent flick to Cazorla in the build-up for the third. The Frenchman now has 14 goals in 24 games, three less than Costa, but the Brazilian played in 32. He also has 11 league goals, just two or three less than Sanchez. Not bad for a "lamp post", a "tree" and an "average striker". Not bad at all.
Cazorla, Welbeck and Flamini
All contributed to the cause. The Spaniard bagged an assist, Welbeck was a live wire up and down the left flank (and was unlucky to have been denied a headed goal right at the death) and Flamini, well, scored. All the subs had a tangible impact. Santi will most likely be reinstated against Monaco, Welbeck should be too, in my opinion, while Flamini just came on to shore things up and allow Ozil a breather.
The aftermath
I'd like to stress once again that this was, above all, a team performance at the highest level. Though I've described each player, we all know how everyone's brilliant in a win and atrocious in a loss. Each player is only as good as the guy next to him, so going over individual performances was just another way of writing a post, rather than suggesting the game was made up of individual players and their actions. It was a collective effort and a most brilliant one at that.
This win cements our third place and allows us to move within one point of City (who have lost to Burnley). Now onto Monaco.
Back with a preview. In the meantime, enjoy our eight consecutive home wins and the goodies they bring.
Until later
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)