Even though 4-0 is a huge result, Arsenal struggled at times, with Hull and with injuries.
The team that started this match was pretty decent, with Giroud back up front after becoming a dad for the second time, and Elneny and Campbell starting as well. Defense looked fine at first but it all shuffled around during the match.
David Ospina – 7
Dave was again pretty much good, as long as he doesn’t have to use his hands much. Catching ball is still a problem for him for some reason but he once again made some great saves and kept us in the match when it looked like we were starting to fall. Good game.
Calum Chambers – 7
Calum started, on paper, as RB, but played all over defence during the match due to injuries to our players. He did well wherever he was. It’s good to have him in our team, especially since he’s pretty decent as RB, CB and DM if needed.
Per Mertesacker – 5
I’m sure his grade would be higher if he got to play longer. Nasty collision with Powell from Hull left him with a bloody head and even though he played on, he was subbed soon after.
Gabriel – 6.5
Gabriel was also subbed off due to injury but he got to play much longer. He was okay, nothing special but hey, he wasn’t responsible for a goal and he didn’t do anything stupid this time.
Kieran Gibbs – 7.5
Same as Calum, Gibbs had a really good match. He didn’t have much to do in defence, which meant he joined in the attack pretty often. He almost got goal of the season after an amazing shot from far out that unfortunately landed on the bar.
Mathieu Flamini – 7
Wow, did we even hear of Flamini in this match? He didn’t get a yellow, didn’t do nasty tackles, he defended well, breaking their attacks when needed and didn’t suddenly show up up front as centre forward. Really good match for old Flamster.
Mohamed Elneny – 7
Elneny looks settled in the team and he made a case for him starting in upcoming matches as well. He got a yellow, yes, but the rest of the match was really good. Same as Gibbs, he almost had goal of the season. His touches need some polishing still but he seems like a really good buy.
Alex Iwobi – 7
Alex featured again in the FA Cup team and his appearance was well deserved. It’s great to see him play! He has the talent and skill for sure, although he seemed a bit quiet in the first half. Second half was much better and he could have even gotten a goal.
Theo Walcott – 7.5
Almost gave Theo an eight but I couldn’t. I mean, he *did* score two goals and provided an assist for Giroud, but he was practically invisible in first half, and even when he did get the ball, it was pretty much awful. Second half, like most of the team, he was much better. Hopefully these two goals will bring back the old Theo.
Joel Campbell – 7.5
Oh I love this man! He once again showed he definitely deserves to start and finish matches more often. Some really great tackles and movement, both in attack and in defence. He provided an Özilesque assist for Theo’s goal, and also played a part in our first goal. Should have done better with chances he had to score, that’s something he should work on.
Olivier Giroud – 7.5
Did Wenger know? Probably. He said before the match that he hoped Giroud will be encouraged to score by the birth of his son yesterday, and it seems he was. After a gifted goal in first half (at least he was in right place at the right time!), he scored a nice goal in second half on Theo’s assist. Of course, he was a part of every attack as always but it’s great to see him on score sheet again.
Subs
Nacho Monreal – 6.5
Nacho came on after Per got injured. He did well in his mostly unnatural position as CB, didn’t have much to do anyway.
Jeff Reine-Adelaide – 6.5
Jeff did well when he came on, finally. He was a part of the few counter-attacks we had late in second half and even had a shot on goal.
Aaron Ramsey – N/A
Ramsey came on and then came off, injured, for a while it seems. Sigh.