Four Things We Learned: Arsenal 2-0 Hull City
Arsenal got back to winning ways by beating in-form Hull City 2-0.
A much-needed thanks in large part, to an Alexis Sanchez brace in what was quite a dull performance, something usual for a team who is low on confidence. This win will be a big boost ahead of the trip to Munich to face Bayern in the Champions League. So here are the four things we learned from today’s game:
1) Bellerin’s return proving key
Back after his concussion suffered in the defeat to Chelsea, he has shown that Arsenal are a totally different outfit with him starting. His understanding with Walcott is a massive key in Arsenal’s play; he switched off a bit after the break, but he still brings so much more on both ends than Gabriel. He also had a very good chance to score, only hitting the side-netting, a very welcome return of a player proving to be one the key assets of Arsenal’s game, both offensively and defensively.
2) Box-to-Box Oxlade-Chamberlain impresses again
Starting again in his new midfield role, after being the best of the worst Arsenal player’s against Chelsea, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain impressed once again in the middle of the park. He was very assured on the ball, and very focused on his defensive duties, he always looked to pass forward and created some great chances. He’s also shown his explosiveness a few times, bursting through the Hull defence. A very solid performance that should allow him to start alongside Granit Xhaka at the Allianz Arena.
He’s also shown his explosiveness a few times, bursting through the Hull defence. A very solid performance that should allow him to start alongside Granit Xhaka at the Allianz Arena.
3) Third disappointing game in a row for Coquelin
After a disappointing game against Watford and a truly dreadful game at Stamford Bridge, Coquelin was given another chance to shine in Arsenal’s midfield, and once again it was a letdown. He failed to have any real grip on the game, losing the ball a few times, and misplacing a number of passes that a player at his level is expected not to miss. He was also caught out of position a few times, whether it was on the break or just when he was not offering any solution on the ball. However, those three performances will probably not put his starting spot under threat, as he’s the only real ball-winner in the squad, Oxlade-Chamberlain is likely to be dropped for Xhaka instead of him.
4) Özil works hard but disappoints
The German Maestro was one of the hardest working players on the pitch today, always running in behind the Hull defence or on the flanks but a plethora of poor and miss timed passes, frustrated the German international. He didn’t have much of an effect on the game and was relatively non-existent during the match.
We’ll expect a bit more in midweek against Bayern, as he looked frustrated for much of the game.
