After a return from Baku in the Europa League exploits against Qarabag, Unai Emery broke the Arsene Wenger tradition by making his players rest in order for them to be “Perfect” for the early kick off against Fulham on Sunday. Under former manager Arsene Wenger this decision was impossible as he often made his players train lightly on weekdays even after an European competition game. Unai’s decision came with mixed reactions but he insisted it was the perfect way for the players to recuperate. On the afternoon of Saturday the team trained slightly to warm up for the game at Craven Cottage amidst the rain.
The gaffer during pre-match press conference made it known that Mesut Ozil was unavailable due to a back spasm. As fans awaited the team news some made jittery comments via social media on the selection of some players and absence of others. Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding, Monreal, Mkhitaryan, Torreira, Xhaka, Iwobi, Welbeck, Lacazette made the team sheet in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Game started at 12 midday BTS, at Craven Cottage and the away fans stacked in the Putney End of the cottage. Fulham began with severe pressing at the early stages of the game which saw Hector Bellerin make a jittery pass which got Leno into making an early save from Vietto’s shot. As the game progressed Arsenal began to find their rhythm after Fulham dictated play for the beginning of the half almost quarter of an hour.
The baptism of goals began when Monreal assisted Lacazette who made a very calm and confident finish into the bottom left corner with Bettinelli frozen in post. The sense of love and unity between Lacazette and Aubameyang was very conspicuous during the celebration of his goal as Aubameyang ran from his seat on the bench to hug an excited Lacazette on the touchline. The goal, was much needed as it changed the approach play of the Gunners at the Cottage: with more confidence and fluidity but they were punished on the 43rd minute after Monreal made a wayward pass which saw Schrulle bury a sublime pass from Vietto with a chip.
The Second half of the 90 minute game was started by the Gunners, with an exhilarating performance. Whatever the team talk was during the first half really paid off. The team have not looked verily convincing on their winning smudge as they were against Fulham in the second half. Lacazette scored his fourth premier league goal of the season from a long range with accuracy and precision into the bottom corner just four minutes into the second half. The away fans chock-fulled in the Putney end went agog with joy with the strike from the number 9.
One important thing worth applauding was the substitutions of Unai Emery in the game. Aubameyang came on in the 62nd minute and the formation was noticed to have changed slightly to a 4-4-2. Ramsey came on for Alex Iwobi in the 67th minute and he scored a perfect team goal which started with a chip in the Arsenal half and ended with a flick finish in the Fulham net. The reaction from the fans of Arsenal summarized the whole feeling: orgasmic. The goal was as beautiful as the goal Jack Wilshere scored in the 2013/14 season from a scintillating pass from Olivier Giroud against Norwich. And he scored in just 38 seconds after coming on.
Lord Nicklas Bedntner still holds the record of the quickest goal against rivals Tottenham Hotspurs (1.8 seconds). Aubameyang made it 4-1 with a fine curler inside the 18 yard box after assisting Ramsey in the 67 minute. And that was a record set; for the first time in the History of the Premier League two substitutes have scored and assisted for a team in a single game. That also, sparked joyous scenes in the stand where the away fans were.
The Gabon International wrapped up the 5 star riot with a 5th goal which was his second of the day to finish the 550th win over Fulham in the league. The afternoon in West London was one to behold as team play was noticeable in the approach play of the Gunners and the bond between the players and fans has noticeably returned.
The 5 star performance against Fulham which saw a sweeping of the West London team is arguably the best game so far by Arsenal this season, making it 9 wins in a row out of 11 games so far this season, like Oliver Twist, Gooners around the world will definitely want more of such displays and victories.
