Arsenal made heavy work of their win over Southampton but with Chelsea’s draw against West Ham, the Gunners are now closing in on fifth place.
If Arsenal hoped a winning run would bring the fans back to Ashburton Grove, they have seriously underestimated the depth of apathy around as thousands of empty seats once again greeted the team.
It was the topic of a sarcastic soliloquy from the Sky Sports commentator who implored people to feel sorry for this top six side on the brink of a European final. He had a point, but so do rocks sometimes.
The game was the perfect opportunity for fringe players to show that, not only do they have a future at the club ahead of the summer, they deserve to be considered for the first team for the important games.
So how did the players do individually?
3Attack
Alex Iwobi 8
Played in the Ozil role and the gap between him and the German was clear initially but he really grew into the game as it went on.
It was his flick around the corner that allowed Welbeck to assist Auba which sparked Arsenal into life. He also gave the ball to Welbeck for the Englishman to make it two and floated a lovely cross onto the same man’s head to make it three.
Iwobi’s finishing has often been a weak point in his game but he was only denied a great goal from outside the box by a flying Alex McCarthy save.
Was the victim of another studs up tackle from Tadic which, again, went unpunished, this time completely without a freekick even being given.
Danny Welbeck 8
Just when I was wondering what Danny Welbeck was good at he popped up with a one-touch assist for Auba to get Arsenal back on equal terms.
His first goal was excellent, even with the looping deflection. Showing great pace, movement, ball and leg control, he made mugs of the Saints defender before letting fly.
Should have made it 3-2 to Arsenal but shinned the ball well over the bar from less than a yard out with Lacazette unmarked behind him. Then did make it 3-2 with a header.
As a supporter, Welbeck really messes with your head.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 7
I thought he would suffer without a quality creator behind him on the pitch but a player of Aubameyang’s quality doesn’t need much of a sniff to find the back of the net and a brave toepoke drew Arsenal level.
He also showed that his selflessness is not just restricted to giving penalties to strikers low in confidence.
Was replaced just after 70 minutes by Alexandre Lacazette even though he can’t play on Thursday and doesn’t need rested.