Arsenal bounced back from their poor midweek performance by comprehensively beating 10-man Hull City 4-1 on Saturday afternoon.
Wenger again pulled off a surprise by starting Walcott and Coquelin, keeping new signings Xhaka and Lucas Perez on the bench.
The Gunners started the game slowly but grew into the game as the minutes passed by, eventually gaining control. They dominated the midfield with some acute passing, while Hull found themselves in some good counter attacking positions on the wings only to be let down by the final pass.
Arsenal finally found the back of the net virtue of some relentless pressure culminated by Iwobi’s deflected shot making it 1-0. They continued to trouble Hull’s defense and had a great chance of doubling their lead.
However, a weak penalty from Sanchez spoiled the chance after Hull defender Jake Livermore handled a shot from Coquelin in front of the goal resulted in a red card and also a spot kick.
The North London club started the second half on the ascendancy and made it 2-0 after Iwobi’s terrific back heal left Walcott only the goalkeeper to beat, which he did albeit a deflection from the defender. The goal was Walcott’s 100th of his Arsenal career and also eclipsing a miserable first-half passing performance.
Wenger looked to settle for a 2-0 as he brought on Elneny for Iwobi. However, Hull reduced the lead to 2-1 virtue of a penalty but the Gunners only took 4 mins to get their 2-goal lead back as Sanchez buried the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-1.
It wasn’t over yet as Xhaka produced a thunder strike from mid-way through the Hull half to make it 4-1 and an almost comfortable win for Arsenal.
Here are the Reactions from the Arsenal fans.
https://twitter.com/Tony68Baker/status/777173673673457664
https://twitter.com/josh_urbanalpha/status/777174218681225216
Incredible win. Excited about that. Let's keep the momentum going now #Arsenal #COYG @Arsenal
— matt kowech (@MattKowech) September 17, 2016
Here are some fans singing praises of Xhaka’s thunderbolt.
https://twitter.com/bisseh50/status/777173633940746240
Ladies and Gentlemen… We have somebody who shoots outside the box!! And scores! Get Inn #Xhaka #Arsenal
— JBO (@11jbo) September 17, 2016
Well said!
35 million pounds right in that top corner. Absolutely lovely, Xhaka. #Arsenal
— Imran (@rajaimranshah) September 17, 2016
Wasn’t so easy as the scoreline indicates.
Decent result, didn't expect that to be honest. Wenger didn't look to pleased as he walked off the field though #Arsenal #HCFCvAFC
— Distant Sun (@DstntSn) September 17, 2016
Sure Xhaka meant this.
That's a "you better start playing me from the start from now on" goal from Xhaka. #Arsenal
— boydhilton (@boydhilton) September 17, 2016
XHAKAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! WHAT.A.SCREAMER!!! #Arsenal
— Erickdesmawan (@Erickdesmawans) September 17, 2016
Still divided over Walcott
I'm out and just heard Theo scored.
Does everyone love him again? #Arsenal
— Marts (@MartineAFC) September 17, 2016
Contract signed?
Alexis Sanchez pointing at the crest during his celebration. That's new. Contract agreed? #Arsenal
— Rohith Nair (@RohithNair) September 17, 2016
Coquelin was brilliant today, even in attack
I love how Coquelin is playing lately. So intense, dynamic, reliable, focused, mistake free. He leads and carries the midfield #Arsenal
— Liam //*// (@GoodOldLiam) September 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/TonyTaiti/status/777171527817162752
Common query among most fans
This is where we differ from top clubs, 2-0 up, man adv., no killer instinct, we slow down instead of wanting to score more #Arsenal
— zoran maletic (@zoranmaletic) September 17, 2016
Wenger!
So let me get this straight. We spent £30M on a backup holding mid to play 25 min a game but wouldn't spend 45-60 on a proper ST? #Arsenal
— Al Smizzle (@AlZeidenfeld) September 17, 2016
True class from Iwobi
Oh my lord! That pass from Iwobi!!! #Arsenal
— Al Smizzle (@AlZeidenfeld) September 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/guevara272/status/777163988186632192
Iwobi a revelation today. #Arsenal
— Scott Swanson (@ScottSwanson123) September 17, 2016
Coquelin has definitely upped his game since we signed Xhaka!
Impressive again today.#Arsenal— Carl Bovis ⚽ (@CarlBovis_AFC) September 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/Fart_Sorcerer/status/777158991126355972
Why the hell cant we score penalties?!?! #Arsenal #Alexis #HULARS Cazorla should've taken it.
— Andy Smith #NorthLondonForever (@AndySmith_31081) September 17, 2016
Walcott struggled in the first half
How does Theo stay in this team?! Last 4 touches have resulted in Hull winning the ball.
— Arsenal Armchair Expert (@GoonerInDenver) September 17, 2016
#arsenal taking penalty kicks. pic.twitter.com/ZyCFMhgRus
— Sam Maule (@sammaule) September 17, 2016
Why aren't we 4-0 up like we should be? #Arsenal
— Maki-Chan (@MissFiveSlice) September 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/GunnerLeZ/status/777158097177456640
Hull look completely disinterested. We should've blown the doors off this match already. Instead? Another indifferent performance. #Arsenal
— Chicago Arsenal (@ChitownArsenal) September 17, 2016
