Arsene Wenger had warned the Arsenal players about complacency in the build up to this game and I think the message had got through as we were focused from the first whistle. Stoke, however, came to the Emirates in good frm so it was just as well as they started well and created a few decent chances early on.
It looked like the Gunners had weathered the storm and were dominating the ball and creating chances ourselves, and our attack looked better once Bellerin came on as Gabriel had to move inside to replace the injury hit Mustafi, when we had the setback of a contentious penalty awarded for a foul on Joe Allen by Granit Xhaka. The Stoke player seemed to have l;ost the ball and the collision looked accidental but Xhaka’s elbow was high and Charlie Adam put the Potters ahead from the spot.
They were not ahead at the break though, even though they did have another good chance just before we equalised through Theo Walcott who finished well at the near post a Bellerin cross set up by a fantastic Aelxis through ball. That would have made Wenger’s team talk a lot easier and five minutes after the restart the turnaround was complete.
Ozil scored with a deftly dinked header over the Stoke keeper after he was found unmarked by a lofted pass by the Ox. THat knocked a lot of the stuffing out of the visitors and the rest was gone when Alex Iwobi scored just a few minutes after replacing Chamberlain, latching on to a loose ball after more great work from Sanchez.
Bob.
That fat mustard head Mason really targeted Xhaka today. I saw 3 non-existent fouls called.
Anyways, I would go on and say MOTM was Walcott, although we had 3 different goal scorers with 3 different assist makers.
Oh and credit to Wenger today! His subs were SPOT ON!
Me it was Cocqulen man of match, but Walcott best game so far defended well and some good touches. To be fair All played well and Oxy is getting better with his confidence. CB
Oh and TOP OF THE TABLE BABY!!
AND most goals scored!
Another win. Anyhow it came, happy Gunners all over.
It must be a record to concede penalties in three consecutive home games.
When we play like this, we are an absolute joy to watch, no passing sideways and back, and slowing the game down, but always looking to go forward. Noticed the tempo of the game slowed a bit when Alexis went off, we NEED this man, not only for his skill, but the way his enthusiasm inspires everyone else.
Yes but we also need to rest him so he doesnt burn out…. dont we?
Hmmm… not sure he was subbed today to rest him, more likely to protect him from Charlie Adam, why do refs never spot Adam doing these things? That was an automatic red card.
Stoke have got some tall players. Cech made some good saves..
Delighted to get a win against stoke. They drew manu and Man city already..
Xhaka have a new name.. His name is Shoot. Lol. The fans always scream shoot when he is with the ball.
Good sub Wenger. Iwobi scored the winner. Ox had a good game too.
Not out best performance but we played like champions. Love the three goals scored by different players.. Love the resilance too. May this continue.
Great team performance…great goals from walcott,Ozil and Iwobi.
Hope mustafi’s injury is not long term.
Top of the league!
#COYG
I always expected that coquelin and xhaka would make a good combo. Now that wenger is feed up with giving ramsey his endless chances, we play with the players who deserve to play in the pitch. The results are no surprise.
I am srry but i think that we should not hand over chambo any kind of improved contract. If he wants to have a future at the club, he should accept whatever the club is ready to offer, and right after ask for a loan out of the club. His mind and focus is not right, therefore he is in danger to fail big time. Did very good today though.
We are doing very fine, and i will put big money on us beating city soon. up the arsenal
Good performance today I’m glad Arsenal are playing with this tempo.I’m glad with the win.
OT: Where are all the regular comenters on this site or did admin ban everyone?
seems an awful lot more quiet around here these days doesn’t it
If you notice that the people who commented on here the most were the people that wanted Wenger sacked if we lost just one game. Now we are up at the top they are not trolling any more. Would you prefer those back or happy Arsenal fans? Even if there are less of them?
SWhen we lose we have a lot more WENGEROUT numptys….
Now they have nothing to complain about lol.
Yeah I agree McLovin, Walcott man of the match for me. He looked the most dangerous in the first half, and he put himself about in trying to win us back the ball. It was a good professional performance, nothing spectacular, but enough to get the man of the match if you ask me.
Someone spoke of Cech and pennos. I have to admit, I have no confidence in Cech when it comes to this area of expertise. He always guesses, but seems always the wrong way. I feel Ospina would make a much better go of it, he could wait until the final moments relying on his quick reflexes. Unless it’s a perfectly hit penalty I think Ospina’s reflexes would have saved at least one out of our last five penalties against.
I love how we looked so professional after going a goal down. I was worried the crowd and players would get a bit restless the longer the half went on. Perfect timing from Theo, looks like he missed Bellerin.
and to think chelsea won the champions league on penalties, realistically though we cant sub in ospina everytime we concede a pen but I agree
Cech won Chelsea the Champions League with his penalty saves.. Why cnt hedothesame for Arsenal?
Mind you Ospina was awesome in the Copa America, but they didnt win it did they?
Err didnt Chelsea LOSE the Champions League on penalties? To Man united? But that wasn’t Cech’s fault, it was John Terry’s.
Agree about Cech’s penalty saving ability. It’s 99% of the time a goal, and they aren’t even good pens that get past him. Besides for that though I have no other complaints about Cech. Ospina has been good this season, but he’s mistake prone and Cech rarely is.
Have you ever tried saving a penalty against a professional striker? You either get lucky or you don’t. End of… Most goalkeepers don’t and it is no reflection on their ability only their luck.
You cannot judge any goalkeeper on penalties that is ridiculous!
There are stats. Howe many shots on goal. How Many saves. How many saves per game. Saves per shot? How many goals conceded etc.
Penalties are basically a 50/50 chance for the keeper, but 90/10 per cent for the striker. Totally irrelevant to ability.
Imagine buyng a striker coz he scored 30 goals in season, but 25 of them were penalties?
Today the team performance is pretty good. Coquelin and the defenders were excellent today. Bellerin looked energetic after the long rest, and he made a crucial assist too. Chamberlain was powerful, showed very good ball control and movements. He must have learned from Sanchez. Ozil’s finishing was sublime. Sanchez couldn’t do much and did not go deep as usual, but still managed to create key passes. Walcott defended well and scored a crucial goal. I hope they keep fighting like this.
There is nothing more to say. Brilliant team performance. Xhacoq is one for the future. Hope ma guy mustaphi is not injured for long. Iwobi…he’s done well. Bring on everton n city.
22 mins in and Leicester City are hammering Man City 3-0….OUCH
I seriously didn’t see that one coming. Judging on the forms the two teams were in, I thought it was going to be a Man City massacre!
Our only tough game (REALLY tough game!) this month is against Man City. Surely we should be feeling confident? At least we are not playing Leicester lol
There is only one really consistent team at the moment. Us
And maybe Chelsea but only since they lost to US!
My word Leicester. …
Go leicester
Who is this freaking co-commentator (for those watching in English)?? He has been bashing Arsenal crowd for past five minutes for a “moan” on an Iwobi chance. That wasn’t a moan, when players are close to creating goal scoring chances it was a reaction to almost getting a third. I seriously hate how the media is full of United and Liverpool fans it’s so annoying, and they don’t even hide their bias!
Yeah i know what you mean, that was Glenn Hoddle (ex spuds player) so no surprise there, hes the most bias commentator when it comes to Arsenal matches
@MellowHype
Yet, he played for Monaco under Wenger…Matter of fact, it was Wenger who brought him there. Go figure.
Obviously his north London ties run deeper than ‘I played under Wenger once’ to be honest.
And Merson has a big chip on his shoulder about Wenger.
Coz he put him into rehab and saved his career and his life… What a twat!
I hope Mustafi isn’t too badly hurt.
Apparently AW said to the press he’s done for the month 🙁
@RSH
Good thing Gabe is back in flying form…
Remember when Bellerin was supposedly out until New Year’s..
Fingers crossed. And don’t forget, we have Gabriel and Holding, who both can thrive as long as Koscielny stays fit!
Out for three weeks minimum, which could mean two months in Wenger speak.
But this season we have good cover in every single position so no need to worry. In fact Mertesackers coming back at the right Time.
Just like Jenkinson came back at the right time for Bellerin, and Giroud xame back when Petrez got injured.
We have the depth and the quality.
Believe it!
Unlucky Xhaka..
Sad about Mustafi’s knock but Gabriel can do well in his stead for the next 3weeks
n also sad about not keeping a Cleansheet, it’s been a while we kept one.
Good part is we got a 3points (after the scare)
City lost.
win next 2games n go at least 7points clear of City.
chelsea the main threat left.
lest I forget,its great to have Bellerin back, his offensiveness makes Walcott move into the box n score more
I would have been happy with any win but a two goal difference was awesome because it has put us at the top for 24 hours at least.
Its also great to have Bellerin back. Gabriel has done a good job but we need bellerin big time. Xhaka has made the loss of Cazorla bearable. We need Xhaka and Coquelin to remain healthy because I am still not solid on Ramsey and Eleney yet.
All in all a Wonderful day
Hopefully West Brom can do something special at Stamford Bridge tomorrow and we can stay at the Top
Bloody brilliant win lads. Its us and Chelsea and our game at Stamford Bridge will be crusial. I cant see either of us losing up til then. The rest are also rans.
What! FIVE thumbs down? Why. Do you not see Chelsea as our only rival? The rest are too inconsistent.
i hope that charlie adam gets punished for his stamp on alexis for our third goal,he really is a dirty player last season he did the same to giroud!!