Fulham vs Arsenal 1-5 – Match Report & Ratings by Hackinubee
This (in my opinion) was one of the best (if not the best) performances of the Unai Emery’s era, where although Fulham were on top for some minutes at the start of the match, we were quick to get into the game (unlike previous matches where we wait till the second half), and we were duly rewarded when Lacazette scored a fine goal from
Monreal’s layoff.
The supposedly “Mr Consistent” Ignacio Monreal then let Fulham get back in the game with a misplaced pass a few minutes before half time and it ended all square after the first 45mins.
The second half started with Arsenal on top and we got back our lead some minutes after the restart with Lacazette converting Welbeck’s pass to score his fourth goal of the EPL Campaign, and forcing Fulham to open up and try to get something from the game, an act which proved to play into Arsenal’s hands as we continually opened their defence and
countered effectively and we could have scored more than five (Not that I’m complaining though).
Around the 60′ mark, Aubameyang was brought in to replace the resurgent Iwobi with Ramsey joining him around five minutes later. They both combined to score the third goal following a sweet team move and a top notch finish from the soon-to-be-free Welshman (a goal scored after 39 seconds of his introduction). The impressive Bellerin then assisted Aubameyang to score the fourth goal and Ramsey turned provider, showing the traits of a proper no. 10 to slide a perfect
through ball for Aubameyang to score his second of the match (fourth goal in the EPL overall) and they both claimed a Premier League record in the process, being the first subs to score and assist each other’s goals in a single match.
Ratings:
Leno: 7/10
Pulled off some saves, wasn’t really troubled though but the confidence he exuded with the ball at his feet makes Cech’s injury seem a blessing.
Bellerin:7/10
Didn’t really put a foot wrong through out the match, combining superbly with Mhkitaryan on occasions, capping off his performance with an assist.
Mustafi:7/10
A strong performance from the German who also played an almost perfect match.
Holding:7.5/10
Has been very impressive since coming on for Sokratis, looking calm and assured and his performances was surely one of the reasons Emery didn’t rush Sokratis back after his short injury layoff.
Monreal:6/10
He started well and got an assist after being played through by Iwobi but let Fulham get back into the game with an inexcusable mistake.
Torreira:8/10
Showing what really made him the most expensive Arsenal’s signing last summer and he has played well since his introduction although he looked to play from box to box in this match.
Xhaka:6.5/10
Can’t really find a mistake in his game although his sluggishness and slow decision making still invites pressure now and then and I can only hope he’s worked it out when we get to play a team that
executes the press well like Liverpool.
Iwobi:8/10
He has been consistently good this season and was one of our main threats during the first half,hopefully he can keep this form for the whole season.
Welbeck:7/10
His work rate is just unbelievable and hopefully he can continue his goal scoring form.
Mhkitaryan:7/10
Linked up well with Bellerin and kept the Fulham defence guessing by interchanging positions with Iwobi.
Lacazette:9/10
Another top performance from our no. 9 who dropped deep when he should, played in the box when he should, and his goals were classical too.
Subs
Aubameyang:8.5/10
Came on to score a brace and got an assist despite playing just 30 minutes.
Ramsey:7.5/10
Scored a beauty (a potential contender for goal of the month/season) and got an assist with a perfect pass to his fellow sub, Aubameyang.
Guendouzi:6/10
Brought on to probably see out the match with the score already at 1-4 and strung together some nice passes.
Overall Ratings:9
Yes, the performance was great but I still believe we could still come
up with a better performance in our upcoming matches.
PS: Emery has confirmed Ozil’s back injury was why he wasn’t included
in the team, and I have to wonder why the club can’t let him have a
surgery and get rid of the injury for once.
We’re also two points off the top of the table and currently in the
top four, and have already won 3 away games this season compared to
four last season.
#COYG
Hackinubee
Loving the development. Part from the odd hiccup that we are prone to defensively we look solid in the midfield and going forward.
Special shout outs to Torreiri, Iwobi, Ramsey (we need to sign him as I still think he is a special player despite last season) and our two forwards.
We look dangerous now and no one will enjoy playing us as they did with arsenes later teams. Our 3rd was a wonder goal with great attacking football: quick, progressive, nothing superfluous and effecient.
Not be so excited for years!
Not been as excited.. 🙂 (well not watching Arsenal:)
Did not watch the match or watch any highlights so far. Later today after work I will be sitting down and watching the fullmatch.
But from the comments from my fellow gooners and my Spuds friends (cringe :-)) we seem to have played really well.
Our wins so far this season have not been convincing whatsoever but the vibe i am getting from everyone is that we look good against Fulham.
Hope this is the start of a something exciting for Arsenal in more than a decade.
Happy days 🙂
An excellent second half performance.Long may it continue.In terms of goals conceded so far this season, a disturbing pattern is emerging.Our defence is being exposed on the breakdown of one of Monreal’s numerous forays upfield.He really needs to temper his forward runs to create an element of surprise, not the norm.He is not quick and Xhaka who should have the positional sense to cover for him is even slower.Emery needs to sort out this problem quickly and one way or another I’m sure he will.
Grandad,
In my opinion, i always believe attacking teams will always have that tendency to get exposed at the back but for a top team like Arsenal, we need to have less of that moment.
Xhaka is improving but still has lots of room for improvement, he lacks awareness and most importantly pace and quick decision making, if he can improve on his decision making he will be a better player for us.
Torreira can always cover for his lack of pace and mobility.
Goonster,
You really missed a lot, make sure you watch that match as you have said.
I said before the game that the line up was the most balanced one this season, and i hope Emery continues with it against Leicester to see how it works again.
The front three of Welbeck, Iwobi and Lacazette is full of industry, directness and pace which we really need
Holding gives me so much joy whenever i see him play as i love calm and effective CBs, he is definitely a top top prospect.
Cant wait to see us play again….coyg!
We played a 442 yesterday with Laca & Welbz up top & in the 2nd half it was Laca & Auba up top. It worked so well & I hope we continue the formation as I believe that’s the best way to get the best out of Laca & Playing together. #COYG
I have just got back to using this Arsenal Fans Forum this season after staying away since 2014 due to massive frustration caused by Wenger with his nonchalance in addressing our problem positions in the team. Window after window he would refuse to address our problems and I could not take it anymore. I came back for a brief period in September 2015 to have a moan and whinge about Wenger only signing Cech. I was suffering from frustration and irritation 🙂
Then promised to not come back on here until wenger addressed our problem positions, resigned or got sacked.
One of those things happened last season and now I am back 🙂
Hope it’s a New Day, New Era, New Optimism for my Arsenal.
Does anyone know what happened to “Twig”? I remember “Twig and RSH” on here back then.
🙂
Goonster,
Yours is better as you only left an Arsenal site, i have friends who left the club altogether, in fact, the last one followed RVP to United and he said:
“Am fed of Wenger, if he does not leave,
then am off”…..
That is how bad it was. Am glad to have you back here mate, however there are many more regulars that left us here, i hope they have a re-think just like you and come back to the fold….coyg!!!
Goonerboy and Goonster, Well, I finally stopped going altogether two years ago entirely because of WENGERS WILFUL REFUSAL TO EVEN TRY PUTTING THE DEFENCE RIGHT. GROSS DERELICTION OF DUTY. Great to be attending again now. I actually gave up my season ticket, 6 YEARS AGO, that I had since early eighties as I could not stand WENGER AS MANAGER. I have been actively calling for his dismissal as long ago as 2007-8. Indescibable joy each day when I wake up and remember he is gone. Even now, I still feel that joy. I resented his malign presence for a whole decade and felt I had lost my club, AND STILL THINK WE WASTED A WHOLE DECADE. I feel reborn now and am sure many others feel likewise.
I just hope all these good performances will mean something at the end of season and I hope we can sustain the run of positive results for as long as it will get us into the champions league next season (you know what they say ‘all good things must come to an end’ though I hope this isn’t the case about our beloved arsenal)
Now you can watch Arsenal games with a relaxed mind, without any tension whatsoever. Last night game was great. The way we moved the ball was a joy to behold .Players such as Holding, Leno Torrera, Iwobi, and Laca really made things happen. The Arsenal board should give Aaron Ramsey a new contract fast .He is very vital to the team. With the way we are decimating teams these days, top four is a certainty this saeson, while winning the league is a possibility. Gunners for life. No shaking.
What about a Midfield partnership between Torreira and Maitland Niles? That will be almost perfect I think. Xhaka isn’t helping matters. This team will continue to improve from strength to strength. We can’t win all our matches without conceding goals throughout the season. The most important thing is that we manage to get the win anyway, but that doesn’t mean we cannot improve defensively. There’s always a room for improvement in every department. We are not perfect yet, but there’s a great progress and process.
Good ratings, although you were a bit too generous to Bellerin as he had a few scary moments. Mustafi’s ratings should have been at par with Holding at least as he held his own against Mitrovic and made a fantastic block on Mitrovic prior to their goal.
Great match. Emery performing well above expectations so far. Hope it’s sustained and we don’t just flatter to deceive.
Hi Guys,
Where can I buy Match Day tickets, tried Arsenal.com but too many membership nonsense.