Arsenal bounced back from Saturday’s embarrassing defeat at Liverpool with a comprehensive if flattering 4-1 win over Fulham, who remain second bottom of the league.
Arsenal recalled Alexandre Lacazette and dropped Saturday’s captain Aaron Ramsey, with Torreira and Lichsteiner paying the price for shoddy displays at Anfield and also dropping out of the team. Fulham meanwhile recalled Schurrle, Sessegnon, Cisse and Le Marchand at the expense of Vietto, Seri, Chambers and Mawson.
Arsenal should have had the game wrapped up by halftime but wayward finishing from Aubameyang meant Arsenal had to settle for a one nil lead at the break.
The opener came as Alex Iwobi continued his good form to allow Xhaka to prod home. Lacazette added a second ten minutes after the break following a smart pull back from Kolasinac. Fulham pulled a goal back as Seri was adjudged not to have fouled Torreira leading to Kamara making it 2-1. Substitute Aaron Ramsey then sealed the win knocking in after Aubameyang’s effort hit a post before Aubameyang himself scored a deflected fourth to add a sheen on the scoreline to provide Arsenal some relief after a troubled Christmas.
Ramsey tough to replace
The Welsh midfielder is reportedly in talks with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and PSG as a free agent. Given the midfielder’s eye for goal, versatility and status at the club this seems a bizarre state of affairs. Especially as Emery’s attempt to play Xhaka in the box to box midfield role was a failure on Tuesday afternoon.
This leaves Arsenal challenging for the top four whilst allowing a star player leave on a free to Europe’s elite and trying to replace him at a cheaper rate than Ramsey would cost. Good luck with that.
Sessegnon a star in the making
The young Englishman has found it tough to replicate his Championship form in England’s top flight yet on Tuesday he showed just how good he can be.
He missed a few good chances at the Emirates which maybe he should have done better with but he created the goal that briefly gave Fulham hope and was arguably their best player on the pitch. If Sessegnon can add goals to his game he looks primed for a Gareth Bale-esque rise from left back to attacking superstar given his effortless style and blistering pace.
Christmas fixture list creating issues with the atmosphere?
It is often a criticism at the big clubs that the atmosphere is poor in home games and Tuesday was a prime example. Gameweek 21 has been spread over three days with three fixtures on Tuesday, six on Wednesday and one on Thursday but maybe this would have been better to spread over two days which possibly would have created a better atmosphere in the grounds hosting football, especially on New Years Day. A similar atmosphere was the case at Goodison Park in the early kick-off on New Years Day but perhaps a New Years Day hangover is to blame and the atmosphere will be improved next time out.
Iwobi beginning to shine
The young Nigerian has often been a lightning rod for criticism of Arsenal performances but in recent weeks he has been the clubs most consistent attacking midfielder. With a goal against Burnley and assist away at Liverpool, Iwobi was on a good run of form even before Tuesday’s game. Only poor finishing from Aubameyang prevented Iwobi having a hat-trick of assists in the first half alone.
His assist for Xhaka’s opener means it’s a goal or assist in three of the last four and with Ozil, Ramsey and Mkhitaryan all missing, Iwobi could be an unlikely key figure in a run for the top four.
Fulham caught between two philosophies
Fulham were promoted with a brand of attacking possession football but they have struggled to translate this into the Premier League. The arrival of Claudio Ranieri brought a touch of pragmatism but seems to have stunted the attacking instincts of Fulham.
Apart from Ranieri’s first game, a 3-2 thriller against Southampton, they have now failed to score more than one in a game in nine games this season and with the defence still the worst in the league, 47 goals conceded in 21 games, Fulham seem confused as to whether attack their way out of trouble or grind their way out. But if anybody can save them, Ranieri can.
