If you were to an offer any Arsenal fan the opportunity for Holding, Tierney, and Bellerin to make their comebacks from injury in a resounding 5-0 win, they might all have hoped it was away at Old Trafford soon to be coming up but they'd snap your hand off for it all the same. Well that's exactly what happened but just to add icing on the cake: Torreira was deployed in holding midfield!!
The first half might have saw just the one goal, but it was one certainly full of promise and what was to come. Tierney gave us glimpses of exactly what we can expect to see once he comes into the premier league fold, Martinelli was more than bright, Nelson looked sharp (perhaps accutely aware of Saka's sudden rise to Arsenal fame), and the midfield was in control. The goal was one of extreme precision, starting with a fine switch from Nelson that he managed to dig out almost from under his feet to Chambers, a very well volley'd cross was met by Martinelli who managed to guide the ball into the top corner for a well deserved opener on the half hour mark.#
There was one unfortunate blotch on the half however with ESR being carried off the field on a stretcher following a collision of heads challenging for a cross. Post match Emery thankfully suggested it might not be too serious a head injury, hopefully thiis is confirmed to be the case by the medical team in the coming days.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first, full of energy and effort with the footballing ability to match, but it also brought 4 more goals. The first of those, and second of the night, fittingly went to Holding who had just put the captains armband on after Ozil was substituted. An outswinging corner from Nelson was convingly met by Holding in the centre of the penalty box and put past the Forest 'keeper. Simple.
5 minutes later, and 30 seconds after Bellerin came on to a very warm reception, Willock was finding the back of the net. This time an inswinging corner from the opposite side found it way to Bellerin on the edge of the area. A half-blocked effort found it's way to Mutafi, who showed great awarnesss to quickly find Bellerin making a run in behind the Forest defensive line, his low squared ball was tapped home by Willock and Arsenal were cruising.
If our 3rd was sharp and clever football, our 4th was incisive. Ceballos got the ball and turned quickly before feeding Saka towards the left wing. Chambers made a superb overlapping run and smartly squared back to Nelson who had time in the box to open his body and guide the ball first time into the right side netting of Forests goal, despite the 'keepers best efforts. A superb feel-good evening was capped off by the kid from Brazil who started the scoring, Martinelli picked up the ball some distance from goal and drove forward breaking the lines. He moved the ball onto his right foot 25 yards from goal and looked to curl an effort towards goal. A big deflection looped the ball over the 'keepers dive but not that he'll care, sometimes you make your own luck. It was a fitting way to end a thoroughly deserved result.
Ratings:
Emery - 8
It was a night hard for Emery to really get wrong iin all fairness, a short turn around after the Villa game almost forced his hand in a lot of respects, but he got the calls right and for that he deserves praise as equally as we might otherwise criticise. The system was the one we have been crying out for as Arsenal fans and tonight showed why. One might have liked Bellerin to get a few more minutes but perhaps fitness was the determining factor, and the decision to withdraw Ozil also raised eyebrows considering his considerable 'rest' and plenty of time before the trip to old Trafford.
Martinez - 6
Perhaps harsh for a man who's kept his second clean sheet in as many games, but I can't remember him touching the ball, let alone making a save??
Chambers - 10 (MOTM)
Hard to judge defensively against a team who didn't threaten in the slightest but never was found to be in trouble when 1v1 defensively. 3 assists for someone playing out of position and who isn't the most adventurous player is some achievment, particularly as 2 of them came from playing the opposite side of the pitch.
Mustafi - 7
Untroubled defensively but passing from the back line was more than fine. Superb pre-assist with the quick thinking and awareness to find Ballerin for the 3rd.
Holding - 8
Rose well to score his goal from the corner, like Mustafi was untroubled defensively but was assured in possession and completed 99% of his passes.
Tierney - 8
Fantastic display when you consider this was his first match back from injury (Not including u23 matches). His crosses were on the money every time and he was a threat all night in 1v1 scenarios.
Torreira - 7
Amazing how much more confortable a player looks in their natural position eh? Just looked so much more relaxed and able to play his game when in holding midfield and marshalled well. Him and Willock were the reason why Forest could not get going and didn't threaten once all match.
Willock - 8
Superb work defensively in midfield that helped control proceedings and not let a decent Forest side threaten any kind of upset, scores bonus points for another goal that was simple, but amazing to see him continue picking up good positions in the opponents box time and time again. Ramsey who?
Ozil - 7
Completed more key passes and passes in the opposition 3rd than any other player. No assists today but you can see what he brings to the team when he plays, vs what we miss when he's out. Even if we did score 1 during his time on the pitch, and 4 after he was subbed....
Nelson - 7.5
Looked sharp and made things happen but didn't always quite go for him on the night. Very good outswinging corner for Holding to score from, and took his own goal well. Hopefully this is the moment he can kick on from.
ESR - 6.5
Looked fitter than the week before away at Frankfurt, showed signs of why he is so highly regarded at Hale End was unfortunate to be forced off early. Hopefully it is nothing too serious and he'll be back again in no time.
Martinelli - 9
Looked incredibly bright ALL game, his energy was relentless and clearly he has ability to go with it. Perhaps guilty of trying a little too hard with showboating in tight spaces, in time and under Auba's wing I'm sure he'll learn the art of creating a yard of space when he needs it. Looks a seriously good prospect.
Saka - 7
A good cameo performance he might not have been expecting as early in the game as he got it. Was unable to get on the scoresheet this time around but was a menacing threat all night long. Linked well with both Tierney and Chambers. Further encouragement and Nelson will be carefully looking over his shoulder, if that's even where Saka still is.
Ceballos - 6.5
More hard work and energy but more slightly concerning lack of end product. Perhaps guilty of trying too hard to make things happen in a game that didn't demand such high levels of intensity in every single moment.
Bellerin - 7
An assist within 30 seconds of his return? Couldn't ask for any more than that. Still looks just as good going forward but will be interesting to see his physical stature going the other way following his injury.
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