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Nick juddTransfer writer
Arsenal managed three consecutive Premier League victories over the festive period with a comfortable 4-0 win against West Bromwich Albion in the Hawthorns.
Report: Arsenal hit West Brom hopelessly
The Gunners dominated the game and it was worth their comfortable win. They ran to a two-goal lead: first, Kieran Tierney beat Darnell Furlong twice before cutting from the left and unleashing an unstoppable right-foot shot on Sam Johnstone, before Bukayo Saka doubled Arsenal’s lead when he finished a exciting team play up close. rank.
West Brom bounced back in the second half and started strong, but Alexandre Lacazette’s eighth goal of the season, Arsenal’s third on the night, ended the game as a competition. The Frenchman was in the right place to jump when Smith Rowe’s volley effort was blocked. Moments later, Lacazette added a fourth when he knocked home a well-placed Tierney cross with his knee.
Arsenal are now firmly in the middle of the table thanks to their loot of nine points in a week, far from the last three they held when Baggies manager Sam Allardyce described them as “relegation rivals.”
Positive
Arsenal rampaged on both sides. Tierney was a constant threat on the left, while Saka’s tricks and crossing ability wreaked havoc on the right. West Brom just couldn’t deal with either player.
Negative
This was a night that will have pleased Mikel Arteta. A clean sheet, four goals of which two evoked memories of classic Arsenal thanks to their skillful interaction. Happy new year indeed.
Manager rating out of 10
8 – Arteta has stumbled upon a winning formula and at its heart are Arsenal’s youngsters. Smith Rowe, Saka and Tierney were the standout players, but in particular Arteta’s decision to split the Tierney-Saka axis to the left, with Saka moving to the right, appears to double down on the Gunners threat.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players submitted after 70 minutes are not rated)
GK Bernd Leno, 6 – The German was a spectator for much of the game, but kept an eye out for Matt Phillips’ strong effort in the first half, which went straight to him.
DF Héctor Bellerin, 7 – Bellerin connected well with Saka on the right. Like Saka, he liked to cut inside where his short passes were effective. He came close to opening the scoring with the game’s first chance, a low volley saved by Johnstone.
DF Rob Holding, 7 – Holding collected his second assist in two games, this time passing Tierney, who went on to grab the first goal. He read the game well and was comfortable with the ball throughout the game.
DF Pablo Mari, 8 – It is no coincidence that Arsenal have been more comfortable in defense since the Spanish cemented his place on the side. He seemed calm regardless of what was happening around him.
DF Kieran Tierney, 9 – The Scotsman looked at home in the snow and was a constant threat on the left. He opened the scoring with a sensational opening goal when, after beating Furlong twice, he cut inside and launched an unstoppable shot that passed Johnstone with his right foot. He then handed out a delicious cross for Lacazette to take her second of the night.
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MF Dani Ceballos, 7 – This was Ceballos’ best game in some time. He looked strong from the start and while he was sometimes guilty of slowing down Arsenal’s transitions, he was defensively solid.
MF Xhaka Granite, 7 – Xhaka was solid in the center of Arsenal, showing a good variety of passes. It certainly seems to work better with younger, mobile players around you.
MF Emile Smith Rowe, 8 – The central midfielder was a pleasure to watch with the ball at his feet. His passing and linking game caused problems with West Brom in the final third. He played a key role in the second goal, facing Saka to double the lead.
FW Bukayo Saka, 9 – Saka was an absolute threat. He played his part in a fantastic team play that later ended to double the score when Smith Rowe squared the ball for him. He also had other opportunities to score, while his center from the right created more opportunities for Arsenal.
FW Alexandre Lacazette, 8 – The Frenchman worked tirelessly and his linking game was impressive. He was rewarded for his efforts when he found himself in the right place at the right time to secure Arsenal’s third, when he finished home on the rebound when Smith Rowe’s volley was deflected off the goal line. He came home a quarter shortly after.
FW Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 7 – Aubameyang was involved throughout, but he is nowhere near his prime yet. He came close to scoring twice, but failed to reach the end of two perfect two-inch crosses from Saka.
Substitutes
DF Ainsley Maitland-Niles, 7 (on for Bellerin, 54 “) – Maitland-Niles and his controversial long-johns were a perfect fit for the right-back position. He was firm at tackle and comfortable in possession.
FW Willian, 6 (enters for Saka, 61 “) – He created an opportunity within minutes of coming in, but from the evidence of this team’s performance, he may have to work his way back to the starting eleven.
MF Joe Willock, N / R (delivered by Smith Rowe, 77 “) – He’s arguably the least effective of Arsenal’s youngsters, although the Gunners had given up on the gas when he entered. He was just guilty of holding the ball too long at times.
