Match Review: Arsenal 2 Fulham 0 - Premier League 18.01.14

It’s often said, rightly, that games like these are what win you titles. With no disrespect to Fulham, one of the few clubs I don’t have something against, these are the sort of games that we expect to win comfortably and often do. The reason we’re top of the league is because we’ve rarely missed a beat when playing the teams below the top six. Even the trickier teams like Southampton, Stoke and Newcastle have been beaten. Our only blips against teams we really should have beaten were on the opening day against Villa and West Brom away. The defeats to United and City weren’t unexpected, whilst draws at home to Everton and Chelsea are not to be sniffed at. A two-nil win at home to Fulham is exactly the type of result that has built us such a solid foundation for our title challenge.

Arsenal named an unchanged side from the win at Villa on Monday night, with Gnabry keeping his place despite a slightly indifferent performance against Villa and no place for Lukas Podolski. It’s tough on Podolski, but having only come back from injury recently and players ahead of him, he’s going to have to wait his turn. Gnabry has been given his chance and should get a run of games as a result, not just be hauled in and out and Cazorla and Özil have their places in the side locked down. Podolski has been less than impressive as a centre forward, so for the time being, he’ll be limited to cameos from the bench. It’s not a lack of quality, I think Podolski is an exceptional player and he can be devastating, it’s just circumstance and he’ll be absolutely invaluable as the fixtures increase in both volume and difficulty.

We started the half brightly and had a great early chance through Özil, who played a lovely one-two with Wilshere, before clipping the ball past the keeper only to see it agonisingly cleared before Giroud could reach it. Fulham were adopting the now traditional tactic of keeping everybody but the striker back and trying to stop our intricate passing moves with numbers. Santi had a couple of good moments, making a few Fulham players dizzy, while Gnabry was willing to shoot, but woefully off target. Giroud also couldn’t find his range, trying to curl one into the top corner but getting closer to the clock. It’s happened a few times this season that a bright opening gives way to frustration as the away side settle in and Arsenal struggle to find a way through. This was again the case as Fulham dug in and our movement slowed, along with our passing. We had a warning too, as Sidwell struck a volley from just outside the area and forced Szczesny to make a good stop. The keeper also had to come out quickly to stop Fulham’s attackers latching on to through balls. Sagna had a chance from a freekick that was blocked, but Stekelenburg saved well and the half ended in frustration.

The reaction on twitter was as if we’d scored five own goals and half the stadium had collapsed. Perhaps as the season progresses so does the fraying of nerves, but there really does need to be more positivity from the fans. The side have risen to the challenge time and time again and one bad half of football doesn’t mean our season is about to implode. The players knew what was needed and they delivered it in the second half. We got the ball higher up the pitch quicker and really pinned the Fulham defence back. Gnabry’s direct style almost paid off as he weaved around three defenders before forcing a good save from Stekelenburg. Koscielny then somehow managed to miss an open goal during a goalmouth scramble, but the pressure was building and it was long after that the Fulham defence was finally breached.

Photo © AFP

The move started and finished with Cazorla, with the tricky midfielder zipping a pass into Giroud, who did what he has done so well this season, held off the defender and knocked off a pass to a teammate. That teammate was Jack Wilshere who had made a brilliant run to find space in the box and he cut the ball back perfectly to find Cazorla, who finished emphatically. It was definitely coming, Fulham were there for the taking and it was just a matter of time before we got the breakthrough. The second followed soon after and it was Santi again. This time, Monreal whipped in a cross that was headed away, but fell to Cazorla. The Spaniard took it down and hit a shot that, while not that powerful, was placed just right to beat Stekelenburg. 2-0, job done.

The game meandered towards the end, but there was still time for Darren Bent to hilariously miss an open goal after getting a lucky rebound off Szczesny. Delightful. Another job well done ahead of a friday night cup tie with Coventry. Our next Premier League encounter should be a bit more testing with a Tuesday night trip to Southampton. It’s a difficult trip to make, but another one that I’d back us to do well in. There’s a real strength to this team and I believe they can take this title fight all the way and there’s a great chance we can win it. But there’s a lot of hard work still to put in and we need to make sure that solid wins like this one are followed up by big performances in the more difficult games.

Stat of the game

Arsenal spent the game camped in Fulham’s half, completing 245 of 291 attempted passes in the final third.

Teams

Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Flamini, Wilshere, Gnabry (Podolski 71’), Özil (Chamberlain 86’), Cazorla, Giroud
Subs
Fabianski, Gibbs, Jenkinson, Chamberlain, Podolski, Park, Rosicky

Fulham (4-5-1)
Stekelenburg, Riether, Burn, Hangelaand, Richardson, Sidwell, Parker, Dejegah (Bent 68’), Dempsey, Kacaniklic (Kasami 86’), Berbatov
Subs
Stockdale, Kasami, Riise, Karagounis, Duff, Hughes, Bent

Player Ratings

Szczesny - 8/10 - Had some work to do today and was solid when called upon
Sagna - 7/10 - Mr Reliable, has been a rock at right back this season
Mertesacker - 7/10 - Another solid as a rock performances from our BFG
Koscielny - 8/10 - Was on great form today, defends aggressively and does it so well
Monreal - 7/10 - I’m a big Nacho fan, he’s a brilliant option to have
Flamini - 6/10 - The game didn’t really suit him, but he wasn’t bad by any stretch
Wilshere - 8/10 - Another excellent performance and assist
Gnabry - 7/10 - Grew into the game and looked a real threat in the second half
Özil - 7/10 - Wasn’t at his best but he’s still magnificent
Cazorla - 8/10 - Match winning performance, hopefully returning to his best form
Giroud - 7/10 - He may not be spectacular, but he is a vital part of the attacking unit
Subs
Podolski - 7/10 - Looked menacing when he came on and was unlucky not to score
Chamberlain - N/A

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