Arsene Wenger played a much stronger starting line up today, with Xhaka and Ramsey in the middle and both Lacazette and Giroud up front. They were on the front foot from the kick off, and the opening goal from Giroud was a very clinical finish from the Frenchman after an excellent run by Monreal.
The second was again assisted by Monreal but this time with just two touchs after Ospina threw it out, one through ball from him and a lovely lob from Ramsey. Excellent pass and excellent finish.
The third one before half time was a lot scrappier with Elneny’s shot getting a massive deflection from a WSW defender to give the keeper no chance at all…
In the second half the first surprising change was the arrival of Martinez in place of Ospina, and then the Gunners nearly made it 4-0 with a smashing shot from Elneny again but it came back of the bar.
On the hour mark though WSW got one back from a freekick just 6 yards from the goal-line through Lustica, who smashed in the rebound.
Five minutes later Wenger changed the whole outfield team, with Neketiah, Willock, Kolasinac, Coquelin, Bielik, Ozil, Walcott, BFG, Herd and Thwaite come on. The new XI looked very lively and full of energy, and Mertesacker got a couple of chances to increase our lead, but it is looking like we are going to end up losing the second half although we have been in command for most of it.
Right at the death Walcott nearly made it four then immediately Neketiah hit the post but it just won’t go in the net. Arsenal kept peppering the WSW goal but it was frustrating in the end.
Another good work out for the Gunners and now we can go on to much harder games ahead….
Admin