A rampant second half aided by household names Aaron Ramsey and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, supported the in form Alex Lacazette to a thrashing 5-1 victory over London strugglers Fulham.
A dominant, possession-based first half was controlled well by the Gunners all except one lapse in concentration that freed up Andre Schurrle to finish well over the on rushing Leno. 1-1 at half time and Fulham were all of a sudden back in a game that they had no right to be in. Now, whatever was said at half time clearly hit the spot as Lacazette fired in his second straight after the break. 2-1, and from here on in, the match was over. A blistering thirty minutes of football followed as Aubameyang entered the fray in the sixty-second minute, replacing Danny Welbeck. Ramsey joined the party five minutes later and within his first five touches, he had scored what is surely goal of the season so far. A move that started at right back (with Ramsey and Bellerin) moved into midfield with neat passing, worked its way across field to the left wing where Aubameyang was fed by Mkhitaryan, he then squared the ball through the box where Ramsey flick finished from behind his standing leg. A goal any Arsenal team, under any Arsenal manager should be proud of.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a little while later with a superb spin and finish move on his left foot. He followed this up in stoppage time with another goal, made by Ramsey in midfield. Rambo's through ball freed Aubameyang to use his lightning pace where, clean through, he drove at Bettinelli and powered home an accurate low finish. Game over, nine wins in a row - six in the Premier League (the league's hottest team right now) and a place in the top four.
Ratings
Bernd Leno: 8
Generally kept well between the sticks and looked solid throughout. Would have been disappointed to concede and lose a clean sheet but it was no fault of his own. He came out well enough and was only beaten by an expert finish. Still impressive and comfortable with the ball at his feet, and keen to get the ball going quickly.
Hector Bellerin: 7.5
Got forward well, as we are now getting used to. Could defend better but does looks better on the whole under the Emery regime. Whether its fitness or just more developed know-how, the young Spaniard finally seems to be improving ever so slightly.
Shkodran Mustafi: 7
Not his best game in an Arsenal shirt but definitely not his worst either. The defence, especially in the second half, had very little to do in all honesty. Both centre backs got caught ball watching for Fulham's only goal and could have done better.
Rob Holding: 7
Much like Mustafi, Rob Holding was partially at fault for Schurrle's goal. Caught on his heels and out of position, he then lunged to intercept, completely missing the ball leaving the resulting space for Schurrle to move into. Not a lot else to do due to the impressive attacking performance.
Nacho Monreal: 8
Better than Bellerin at getting forward, and actually delivering the ball with consistency. Knows exactly where his forwards want the ball, and is more able to actually put it there. One mark on his note was the extremely poor clearance (on his strong foot) that led to Fulham's goal.
Lucas Torreira: 8
Another solid and responsible performance by the little Uruguayan. It's hard for a true holding midfielder to really stand out especially when your forwards net five goals but what he does do, he does to a level that we've missed for ten years. He's accomplished on the ball yet dogged and defensively-minded to support his back four, at all times.
Granit Xhaka: 7
A relatively quiet game for the stand-in skipper, who did very little wrong but also did very little to impress. Perhaps that is actually the signs of a good game; he let the better attacking players attack, and let the better defensive players defend. He's that marshal between the defense and the attack, looking to start moves from deep and knit things together as and when required. No silly yellow card either.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 8
Coming in for the missing Ozil, the onus was on the Armenian to create and deliver. And much to our joy, he had a fantastic game. Much of what he did well was either a second or third assist, often starting moves and joining in again later. These are the levels we expect from players of this calibre week in, week out.
Alex Iwobi: 7.5
Started well and had solid performance, yet again. Now needs to add goals to his game; Aubameyang comes on in the same position and nets a brace, albeit against a tired defence. Iwobi is stronger on the ball and now seems to have more direction and understanding of his surroundings. He just needs to get in better positions to shoot more. Shoot, and you will eventually score.
Danny Welbeck: 7.5
Getting a deserved start, Welbeck did his usual from the left. Often is the case that he starts and doesn't score yet when he comes on, he scores a lot of the time. Not the best trait to have but still very valuable to the team and management. Runs tirelessly and looks more free under Emery, even from the left where he's still required to dig in defensively. Created more chances than anyone else, eventually bagging one assist.
Alexandre Lacazette: 9.5
There were more than three candidates for Man of the Match this week but the red hot Frenchman claims the accolade for his two quality goals, scoring at crucial times to ultimately take the game beyond Fulham's reach. Embodied everything it means to be an Arsenal striker; pace, strength, composure, finishing and selflessness. Hitting optimum form at a great time, Lacazette now has five in five, a record he should only improve on going forward.
Subs
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 9
Played the final third of the game and lit up west London with a fine striker's display. Coming from the left, as we are now used to seeing, he scored two good goals and continued his fine form. Stayed involved for the entirety of his appearance and looks extremely hungry for more goals.
Aaron Ramsey: 8.5
After missing the mid week win, Rambo started this one from the bench and within minutes of coming on scored what is my goal of the season so far. An unreal move, involving at least six players, with Ramsey at the centre of it all, was eventually finished by the man himself. A quality twenty minute cameo that showed the club exactly what he can bring (should contract negotiations ever re-open?!).
Matteo Guendouzi: 5
Played only the final few minutes, coming on for Man of the Match Lacazette. Joined in for this period and helped see out the victory.
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