Arsenal displayed their full repertoire of attacking flair as they overcame Steve Bruce’s Hull City at The KC on Monday night. The Gunners were in a cavalier mood as two goals from Alexis either side of an Aaron Ramsey strike secured 3 stylish points for Arsene Wenger’s men. Stephen Quinn replied with a header for the Tigers but Arsenal’s victory was never in doubt. Here’s how the players rated:
David Ospina (GK): 6/10
A quiet night for the Colombian who had little chance with Quinn’s well timed header. The goalkeeping debate rumbles on but it’s a difficult topic to broach in games like this when neither defence nor ‘keeper is really tested.
Hector Bellerin (RB): 7/10
Another swashbuckling performance from the young Spaniard who again proved his attacking credentials by creating two chances. Incredibly assured in possession, as you’d expect from a La Masia graduate and tough in the tackle too, Bellerin certainly is an Arsenal stalwart in the making.
Per Mertersacker (CB): 7.5/10
The big German kept things tight at the back as always, making 6 clearances and completed a remarkable 98% of his passes. It’s very hard not to love Per.
Laurent Koscienly (CB): 8/10
Another excellent display from Laurent on his 200th appearance for the Gunners and a far-cry from his stuttering debut that saw him sent off at Anfield just under five years ago. Two interceptions and eight clearances weren’t enough to earn the clean sheet he and the team deserved. May have been fouled in the lead up to the Hull goal.
Nacho Monreal (LB): 7/10
One wonders if even Arsene Wenger could have foreseen the benefits of Nacho’s stint at centre-half. Many, perhaps unfairly, believed he struggled there yet, if his form since the turn of the year is anything to go by, the quiet Spaniard has reaped the benefits, winning a number of aerial duels that a man of his height has no right to challenge for. Another solid night.
Francis Coquelin (DM): 7.5/10
Following his breakthrough over Christmas, many felt the Coq would struggle to find consistency. The fact that we are running out of superlatives to describe each subsequent performance has out paid to that particular argument.
Santi Cazorla (CM): 8/10
Wizard, magician, orchestrator. Take your pick. The little Spaniard was simply magnificent again, leading all players with 100 passes, with 4 of those key. Also completed two of those twinkled toed dribbles in addition to that rather sumptuous assist for Aaron Ramsey. A pleasure to watch.
Mesut Ozil (CM): 8/10
It’s difficult to give the German a position because he simply appears everywhere. That flick alone is enough for the 8/10. Created three chances and was in a rather ‘tacklely’ mood on Monday night.
Aaron Ramsey (RW): 8/10
A goal, an assist and a heat map that looks like it’s been plucked from a nuclear explosion. Taken off for Jack Wilshere.
Alexis (LW): 8.5/10
Thierry Henry scored 26 goals in his first season with the club and Alexis now has 24 with 5 games remaining. Henry’s record is certainly within sight for a player whom Arsene Wenger expected to be more of a ‘provider’ than a goalscorer. The Chilean produced a live-wire display that has epitomised his first season at the club and more than deserved his brace.
Olivier Giroud (ST): 7/10
There wasn’t much sight of goal for the big man but his hold up play was exemplary as always. The importance of his divesionary runs in the build-up to the second and third goals also can’t be understated. Replaced by Walcott.
Substitutions:
Jack Wilshere 68′ (CM): 7/10
On his first Arsenal appearance in 126 days, Jack’s cameo was promising to say the least. Two trademark mazy runs resulted in one foul and one tackle that really should’ve lead to a penalty. Could’ve had a goal too if it weren’t for the hand of Andrew Robertson. As we reported in our preview of the game, Jack has a fight on his hands to regain his place and on this evidence he’s more than ready for it.
Theo Walcott 86′ (ST) : N/A
Not on long but he wasn’t great. Should’ve done better with the chance at the end and out of three attempted passes, he completed one.
