Arsenal put in a stylish performance against Fulham on Sunday to breeze to a ninth consecutive win, with strikers Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in top form.
The Gunners ran out 5-1 winners at Craven Cottage, despite once again going into the half-time break on level terms. Unai Emery’s side are making a habit of breaking teams down in the second half and this was no exception.
It took a couple of moments of brilliance from Lacazette to help the team to take control of the game. In the end, though, it was a very deserved win. Emery’s substitutions had exactly the desired impact and Arsenal earned the three points.
4Substitutes
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 9
It’s hard to argue with two goals and an assist from only a bit over 20 minutes on the pitch. Aubameyang was as clinical as it gets, effectively killing off the game. Iwobi and Welbeck had earned starts over the Gabon international, but he bounced back in style.
Aaron Ramsey 8.5
Ramsey was another whose recent performances meant he was deservedly on the bench from the start. Like Aubameyang, he just used that as motivation.
It took less than a minute for the Welshman to find the net, finishing off a beautiful move from the Gunners. After being assisted for that goal by Aubameyang, he returned the favour late on for Arsenal’s fifth. Much better from the man surrounded by contract speculation.
Matteo Guendouzi 7.5
Guendouzi didn’t have as much time to make an impact, but he hardly got anything wrong in his 10 minutes on the pitch. The Frenchman might have to settle for a bench role in the league, with Xhaka and Torreira working well together, but he’ll keep getting chances in the cups and in Europe I’m sure.
As long as Guendouzi keeps making these positive substitute appearances, Arsenal will greatly benefit from having all three players.