Yesterday’s Bank Holiday Premier League action saw Arsenal take on Hull City at the KC Stadium. It was an enthralling watch from start to finish – unless you’re a Hull City fan, in which case, you’re probably a bit hung over this morning after drowning some relegation-fearing sorrows.
Although the Tigers gave a good account of themselves, the Gunners were absolutely relentless going forward, bagging three goals before half time and sustaining the pressure in the second half. Hull found some solace in a Stephen Quinn header just after the interval, but the damage was already done in what was undoubtedly one of the best Arsenal displays of the season.
If you were unfortunate enough to miss the attacking masterclass, then have no fear. Football Fancast have outlined the three biggest talking points from the 3-1 affair, so your mates don’t have to find out you were curled up in bed with the missus, watching re-runs of Downton Abbey on ITV4.
STEVE BRUCE NEEDS TO STOCK UP ON RABBITS’ FEET AND FOUR-LEAF CLOVERS
When you’re down on your luck in the Premier League, everything seems to conspire against you.
That’s certainly how Steve Bruce will be feeling this evening; although Arsenal produced an attacking display of the highest order and their winning margin felt somewhat inevitable, two goals of great fortune gave the Gunners an unassailable foothold in the match.
The first was an Alexis Sanchez free kick, which took a telling knick off Hull City’s wall to loop past a helpless Steve Harper.
The second was an Aaron Ramsey strike, after latching onto an incredible, pin-point driven Santi Cazorla pass from Arsenal’s own half, that cannoned into the feet of a blocking James Chester to arrow into the top corner of the net.
So ahead of a vital relegation decider against Burnley next weekend, Brucey might want to stock up on his lucky charms. The Tigers do have four Irishmen in their squad already – so that’s at least a decent start.
MESUT OZIL IS FINALLY LOOKING LIKE A £42.2million PLAYER
Mesut Ozil is yet to live up to his £42.2million price-tag in the Premier League, largely due to the fact he’s spent much of his Arsenal career floundering aimlessly on the wing.
But he took up the No.10 role tonight against Hull City and as if by magic, he put in a performance worthy of such a monolithic transfer fee.
That may seem rather unchallenging against a down-and-out Hull City side and the German World Cup winner didn’t finish the match with a goal or an assist. But he was classy throughout and made a telling contribution to the Gunners’ third goal, with a swerving pass to eventual assister Aaron Ramsey.
That was soon followed by a flick-on the phrase ‘tekkers’ was created for. Taking just a half-glance at the lofted pass towards him, the 26 year-old spun to backheel the ball on the volley perfectly into the path of Alexis Sanchez. Arsenal fans on Twitter were very impressed:
Boring, Boring Chelsea
Many have leapt to the defence of Premier League title winners Chelsea, including us at Football Fancast, following accusations that they’ve claimed the English crown with a negative and attritional style of football.
Winning is winning, as would argue Jose Mourinho, whilst sipping a glass of celebratory champagne.
But after watching Arsenal yesterday evening, the recent criticisms become somewhat more understandable. In complete contrast to a 1-0 win, through a penalty rebound, that saw the Blues claim the title against Crystal Palace on Sunday, the runner-up hopeful Gunners produced nothing short of an attacking masterclass at the KC Stadium.
It was enthralling to watch from start to finish and some of the stats are rather phenomenal; including 19 attempts at goal, nine on target, 62.8% possession, 589 accurate passes, and 16 successful dribbles.
Needless to say, Arsenal fans were pretty chuffed on Twitter: