Good win. Santi was at his best again, Ozil was class whenever he had the ball. Alexis I thought was a bit quiet, but he still created and offered a lot. Also, Chambers and Gibbs both looked good. Chambers not enough to dislodge Bellerin atm, but Gibbs certainly had a stormer going forwards. Pretty clear now that Monreal and Gibbs should alternate depending on the opposition.
Should proabaly be stated that Gabriel looked solid on his debut. Looks like a good old fashioned no-nonsense defender
I just pray we don't get United home or away - providing they beat Preston tomorrow (which I think they will).
I would gladly take United at home, I want to beat those ****ers, we are owed a win over them. If we can avoid Old Trafford or Anfield, then it's good for us.
Same here. We really should be beating manure now, kinx or no jinx. With all our players back, we should give them a footballing lesson. I just hope we don't get caught by their hoof'a ball tactics....
Not sure too much can be read into Chambers' game (or Gabriel for that matter) as Boro offered next to nothing going forward. I also think that Arsene will choose fullbacks based on who is fit. Looks to me like he enjoys having one marauding FB and one more defensive, much like with the wingers. In this way Monreal compliments Bellerin and I feel Chambers does the same for Gibbs. Great to have options for once and I have faith in all four. Credit to the team though, nice straight-forward win and I like seeing Gabriel celebrating with the others, suggests he's intergrating well. Quality finish by the big man for his second too, top drawer effort and were it a Costa, Aguero name the pundits would be spaffing their loads all over the shot. Poor OG.. Oh, and Flamini was w*nk again for me. Well...average. Not sure how he managed to uninspire me in a role when he should have had a really easy day but there you go. Was hoping he'd step up a bit and assert himself but no such joy.
Match ratings: 'Chesney - 6.5 - didn't have much to do really, although his distribution is still terrible Chambers - 6.5 - showed good strength at times and has decent speed, but his crossing is erratic. Don't think he's best suited to playing as a fullback. Koscielny - 7 - solid Paulista - 7 - solid Gibbs - 7.5 - excellent display from Gibbs both going forward and defensively. Flamini - 6 - wasn't as bad as I thought he'd be, did okay. Cazorla - 7.5 - another impressive display from the Spaniard Sanchez - 6.5 - works hard as always and presses all over the pitch, but he gifted possession away quite easily Ozil - 7 - good display from Ozil, showed some deft touches and some very good passes. Again sometimes his passing was a bit stray, but did well on the whole. Welbeck - 6 - works hard and his pace is an asset, but he doesn't always make the right runs. Wasn't enough of a threat going forward. Giroud - 7 - two lovely finishes, but his lay offs were off and our attacks sometimes broke down when he had the ball.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31480408 * All 11 players touch the ball without a Boro player intercepting prior to scoring the 1st goal. The Arsenal way - Does this goal outclass the 2nd......
