Arsenal 5 - 1 Fulham: that was fun

There’s not all that much to say about this one. Arsenal were superb today. They played quickly, passed clinically, and finished ruthlessly on their way to a 9th win in a row.

There were some raised eyebrows when Unai Emery selected an attacking trio of Alex Iwobi, Danny Welbeck, and Alexandre Lacazette with Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the midfield, but the combination worked. Arsenal created more chances in the first half and were a bit unlucky to be 1-1 at the break. Iwobi was particularly bright (again) for the Gunners and looks a threat to create a chance every time he’s on the ball.

Arsenal were completely dominant in the second half, both with the starters and the pitch and later on, when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Aaron Ramsey came on.

Fulham’s only goal of the match came just before halftime off an uncharacteristically poor turnover from Nacho Monreal. His errant pass started the Fulham break, and Andre Schurrle finished the move with a smart chip over Bernd Leno. Although not called upon to do much of anything in the second half, the German keeper had a good game, making some tough saves when the game was 0-0.

To the Arsenal goals. Lacazette put the Gunners up 1-0 with this lovely turn and finish (as mentioned above, Fulham scored to make it 1-1, but I wanted to do the Arsenal goals all together).

Lacazette restored the lead just minutes after halftime with this cracking volley. The play looked so harmless. Lucas Torreira (who was MAGNIFICENT today, full of snarl, bite, and physicality in the midfield - he’s the real deal y’all) kicked it up high into the air and upfield. Danny Welbeck flicked it on, and out of nowhere, Lacazette ripped a volley into the near bottom corner, first time.

The goal to make it 3-1 Arsenal may be the goal of the season in the Premier League. I’ll let it speak for itself (the French commentary improves it, IMHO).

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made it 4-1 with a turn and finish that looked exactly like Lacazette’s first goal of the match. Think they work on that move together?

Aubameyang finished off the scoring with his second of the match. A great strike to the bottom corner to be sure, but the goal was made by the flicked pass from Ramsey that beat three defenders in one fell swoop.

While Arsenal’s 5 goals rightfully steal the headlines, let’s not forget the defense. Shkodran Mustafi had easily his best game of the season, Rob Holding played another strong game, Hector Bellerin was flying up and down the right side, and Nacho Monreal bounced back well from a sub-par first half. A fantastic game all around.

With the 3 points today, Arsenal climb above Tottenham in the table on goal difference and guarantee they’ll spend the international break in the top 4. That’s 9 on the trot for the Gunners, who are next in action against Leicester on October 22nd. Winning is fun.