Review – Brilliant win but Arsenal could have scored a lot more!

Good – but we need to be more clinical by JH

Arsenal picked up a good 3 points at home, it was easy, almost too easy, a match that finished 2-0 could and perhaps should have finished 3,4,5 but for a very good performance from Jack Butland, and the wastefulness of our attackers, Walcott should have struck twice before he scored, Sanchez probably should have got one, and I feel Ozil should have done better when put through by Cazorla. We also probably should have had a penalty when Giroud was hauled down whilst trying to convert his second of the day.

But all in all, it was a good performance, our defense was solid and assured (with the help of a very poor Stoke) Coquelin and Koscielny were head and shoulders above Stoke’s attacking players. Gabriel once again looked solid, and even gave Arnautovic a clout for Debuchy. I thought Bellerin was superb, I think his performance was simply overshadowed by the likes of Coq and Kos, But young Hector was solid at the back, and caused quite a bit of trouble down the other end too.

Santi Cazorla was at his mercurial best, earning an assist for his lovely free kick into Giroud. Mesut Ozil was once again superb, His ball for our opener was fantastic, he created a total of 7 chances for his teammates, he is now on 76 chances created for 2015, more than any other player, More than the genius Silva, more than ex captain Fabregas, more than player of the year Hazard, more than much heralded Coutinho, but don’t forget, Ozil is not worth £42 million. Mesut is a genius, He has created at least 4 chances a game this season. He can’t finish them as well.

Sanchez seemed to have his energy back today, he was still lacking that final finish, but he hit the post twice today, he is getting closer, hopefully he can net vs Chelsea. Ramsey did well, he showed his inevitable energy and industry, perhaps could have added a goal, but was off balance when he was shooting, would be harsh to criticise him for it.

Now where to start on Theo Walcott, he scored the all important first goal, his touch from Ozils ball over the top was superb and he showed great composure to tuck past the previously unbeatable Butland. But, he should have had another 2 before he scored, I think we need to be patient with Theo, people attack him for not making the correct runs or lacking the instinct of a striker, but for this he simply needs time, games is how he will learn this, I would think he is getting good advice from AW and perhaps our new U18s Attacking coach The King can give him some tips. One thing I must point out, when it comes to the is Walcott a Striker argument, Theo has scored 11 goals in his last 11 starts. Olivier Girouds last 12 appearances have brought 2 goals. Nuff said?

Arsene Wenger speaking after the game once again proclaimed his belief that Walcott will become “a prolific goalscorer”. Perhaps Giroud should get used to just having the last 15 minutes.

Today interested me, we pressed collectively and very well, forcing Stoke into mistake after mistake, but it was more than that, we saw Cazorla, Coquelin even Koscielny striking from far out, I think I counted 5 or 6 times where we just played the simple ball over the top looking for Walcott, it will be interesting to see if this was just a one off, desperate as we were to get a goal at home.

With Chelsea’s humbling defeat at the hands of Steven Naismith and Everton. We have moved 6 clear of them after just 5 games. We are now second favourite for the league, and are in fact second as we speak. Arsenal hit goals through our starting striker and our substitute striker. Not too bad for a club in crisis that are desperate for a striker.

I believe if we can go to Stamford Bridge and pick up the points, we might well go on one of those runs a little earlier than usual.

By JonnHirons