A cracking first half saw Arsenal take a great three-goal lead to Russia next week, and a solid second half could have seen us go further ahead. The Gunners now have one foot in the semi-final but will have to prepare to defend in numbers in Moscow. Three more games and we are in the Final!
So here are my ratings for last night:
Cech 6
That freekick from Kolovin was better than any penalty and Cech had no hope, but otherwise he did his job well
Bellerin 7
Did more playing than talking. A good threat down the wing
Mustafi 6
Not one of his best games, but he was given a tough time
Koscielny 6
Not what we would expect from our captain but he was okay for most of the match
Monreal 6
Solid without being spectacular. Made some good bursts forward as usual
Xhaka 6
Seems to have settled into the team better but still too hot headed when he loses the ball
Ramsey 9
Deserved his hat-trick. It certainly wasn’t for lack of trying. Brilliant performance all round
Wilshere 5
One of Jack’s headless chicken nights. Needs to look wheere he is running more often
Ozil 9
Mesut was in one of his masterful moods last night. If Ramsey and him played like this every week we would be unbeatable
Mkhitaryan 7
He looks brilliant at times and I’m sure he will still improve. I hope his injury isn’t serious
Lacazette 8
Excellent game from the Frenchman. If only Premier League defenders were that slow
Subs:
Iwobi 5
Scared to shoot? Still needs confidence I think
Elneny 5
Solid as usual but not so spectacular
Welbeck 5
Made himself busy, but surely he should have learned to shoot straight by now