Ramsey and Ozil play together again along with our most prolific goal scorers up front. Wingbacks and three at the back. Mustafi on the bench – no sign of Xhaka.
First Half
A brilliantly constructed opener saw A. M-N set up Rambo for a pass into the far corner.
The second came after Koulibaly had blocked a couple of fine efforts on goal but his third blocking attempt diverted Torreira’s effort beyond Ospina’s replacement.
The BT Sport commentary team with Nobbie Savage and some other moron was so awful, mute was the only sensible option for the second half.
Second Half
The second period saw us have several brilliant chances of stretching our lead even further while also allowing Napoli a couple of sniffs at that important away goal.
Rambo could have had a hat trick in the end, he seems to be revelling in his his desire to win something with us in his last season. Auba’s clinical early season finishing is not there at the moment but he’ll be fine now that the antibiotics are out of his system.
Even the subs were decent, adding extra oomph when needed.
Conclusion
Brilliant result at home – a third goal would have been superb but what’s better 3-1 or 2-0?
If we score in Naples they will need 4.
It was a fine game of attacking football, so much better than the tepid snorefests dished up by the Champions League this week.
Ratings
Cech – good fisting when required – clean sheet, all good … 8
Sokratis – excellent from Papa – Mustafi will struggle to get back his right side back three position … 8
Koscielny – how good a defender has he become? Ligue 2 defender to world class – who was our Director of Football when he signed? … 9
Monreal – the billy goat came good again even with creaking limbs … 8
Maitland-Niles – really superb tonight – sharp passing, quick to cover, bang up for it … 8
Kolasinac – likewise for Sead – contributed throughout and his passing went up a notch as it did for most of tonight’s team … 8
Torreira – absolutely majestic in the first half, interceptions and successful tackles galore – only understandable that he faded a little near the end … 9
Ramsey – playing like a man possessed – he wanted to leave for the change but wanted to stay because he loves Arsenal – scored one, could have had two more – reborn in midfield … 9
Ozil – everything was good in Mesut-world for tonight’s game – his use of the ball and ability to find space are world-class … 8
Lacazette – another banging performance just lacking that goal to cap it off – maybe one is waiting for him in Naples? … 8
Aubameyang – a few decent sniffs but no goals – what are the odds on both him and Laca scoring in Italy? … 8
Subs
Mkhitaryan – nearly got an assist for the Ramsey chance which was skied – it was the perfect scenario for him to come on with both teams going for it … 7
Iwobi – didn’t let the team down by adding drive and enthusiasm in exchange for tired legs … 7
Elneny – good that his non-performance against Everton has been consigned to the history books … 7
Managers
Emery – dominated his much-lauded opposition manager – top marks, Unai … 9
Carlo Wagnerotti – his side came to play football which should be praised, though the early goal forced his hand somewhat … 5
Ref
Alberto Undiano Mallenco – Spanish, so an expert at spotting diving. He has been a full international referee for FIFA since 2004. Undiano is also a part-time sociologist. He was almost invisible which is exactly what’s required from all refs … 9
chas
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Brilliant result! Played so well (especially in the 1st half) we could have scored many more, but hey I’m happy with a 2-0 lead! Yes next week will be tough, but hopefully we’ll do it (we’ve got to win away at some point!!)
My MOTM was little Lucas 😊 boy we’ve missed him!! Closely followed by Rambo 👊 big shout out to Koscielny – glad you’re back Boss!
Thanks very much Chas
Last night was the reason I was not too concerned about the Everton result.
The return of a top quality midfield added everything you’d expect it to do, while Kos at the back helped to steady the defensive ship.
can’t type that fast that I cheated from previous comment 🙂
Excellent summary, Chas, agree with all of it.
Some of the attacking football we produced was wonderful, and everyone was pressing and covering back as necessary.
Still one or two defensive blips, but there were changes to the team and the strategy so that was only to be expected.
Enjoyable game, in direct contrast to that dreadful game at Everton — one has to ask “why?”
Good feeling this morning. 😀
Thanks for the read Chas a great result and all is good in the world.
As to Suarez, I find it a very interesting subject for debate, I also find the example of Pires being pants in his first season as insightful, well intentioned and an optimistic comparison. Who really knows how Suarez is going to turn out, that is the beauty of the arrangement: we get to try it before we buy it.
Great stuff, Chas. Pretty amazing we kept a clean sheet last night and now we have to go to Napoli and aim to score at least one (rather than sit back and defend which is not our forte). Good to have the Tora back – makes a world of difference. Re Rambo, I guess it was key for him to get a contract signed so an injury would not put him out of business. He is flying at the moment.
We cannot say anything about Suarez until he has played a number of games in succession for the mighty red and white. At the moment it looks like Emery got himself a well inflated spare tire in the back of the car; Ozil, Rambo and Mkhi are rolling well at the moment and Unai loves Guendouzi, so why change? I have no doubt that Suarez was bought for the long term and is most likely the replacement for Rambo (and Santi belated) but time will tell.
Very enjoyable read as usual Chas, especially the suggestion/wish/prediction that Lacazette and Aubameyang will both score in Naples, I’ll drink to that.
Hi Total
It is hard to imagine that Suarez was brought or should that be rented for any other reason than as a replacement for Ramsey.
The one thing that most people have forgotten is that when Suarez came in there were still people on the terraces moaning about Ramsey, no one expected the Welshman to show the commitment that he has, it made no sense; he’s leaving, but he has and his current form also makes a mockery of the ridiculous rumour that Arsenal offered him a new contract that he accepted only for the club to withdraw, for those who believed that — feel embarrassed.
Looking at Suarez from Emery’s perspective the arrangement makes complete sense, he was and is a small hedge against Ramsey and Ozil, I had forgotten about Ozil, when Suarez came in Ozil’s toys were still out of the pram, even more reason for Emery to bring someone in he knows and, I guess, trusts.
Maybe Suarez will stay maybe he will be sent back, still not clear but I find this new way of doing business by the club very interesting indeed.
Hi LB
Yes agreed re Ozil being part of the team again and Rambo’s position. Let’s see what happens with Suarez this summer. One thing is clear and that is Emery does not want to play with two (predominantly) defensive midfielders, and Rambo has filled the box to box role very well recently. I would love to see more of Suarez and find out whether he is a similar type.
Micky, Making a cheap/curt comment directed at two very regular AAers only inflames an issue.
I’m off to consider whether I want continue participating – Chas kindly hold my posts until I make a decision.
Excellent result against a good team. I was very impressed by:
– Torreira (he is my MOTM)
– Ramsey
– Kolasinac
– AMN
– Koscielny
Then with Ozil and Lacazette
Now, we are only half way through but I think that our aim should be to score a goal in Napoli so we should keep playing with our 2 strikers when we go there.
Cech – Sok, Kos, Monreal – AMN, ?, Torreira, Kola – ? – Laca, Auba
I think the only thing we need to see if we play Xhaka or Guendouzi next to Torreira and move Ramsey one up behind the strikers OR if we play Ramsey next to Torreira with either Ozil, Iwobi or Mikhy with Laca and Auba…
Other than that – Watford will be a tricky game. I like that team and they have some good players like Doucoure, Gray, Holebas, Pereyra, Foster and annoying ones like Deeney, Capoue and Janmaat that need to be contained.
From the Watford squad, I d bring in Doucoure to our squad without any hesitation.
Cheers Chas
Couldn’t agree more with your assessment. Especially the reconditioning of Terrier. The brilliance of Kos, who immediately makes Sokratis and Nacho prove their real ability. Ramsey’s contribution both defensively and in forward movement/hole finding, and a first Continental referee for a long time who, although fooled by a few Italian “oops you touched me, I must fly”, generally went unnoticed. For Ants and I it was like watching a different team, and for that reason, the game at the weekend still puzzles greatly. Perhaps A M-N sums this up so completely. Against Everton he looked to have his own body with an over the hill pub player’s mind. Last night, he bubbled with confidence, skill, and determination.
Which team will turn up at Watford?
Interesting our 2 holding midfieldwas got the goals
GN5
Is it OK if I put the Watford pre PM up tomorrow?
Lol
GN5
Let me help you out
Chas and the blog come first
I’m off on gardening leave. Goodbye
Cool.
Everyone’s resigned.
BR is going to wonder why the blog has disappeared while he’s been on his break in Italy.
Oh well.
On the plus side we’ve had 22 hundred views of my shitty match report (everyone desperate to relive a good result helps ) and nearly 1700 visitors.
I blame it on me and Suarez and Pires. ☺
Fear not Chas, I offer a virtual handshake to Micky and hopefully we can all be big boys and blog nicely.
I’m looking forward to meeting Fred at any Arsenal match, lower tier, upper tier, men’s or women’s, snow globe or whatever else he had in that headless video, FFB to Kings Head. I challenge him to a rum drink off.. and Micky’s paying.
I’ve been reading every comment every day for the past 2 years and I have no idea why the quarrels? I am one of those guys who then starts reading back over the comments to try and find out what I missed, what was said, who said what to who. Zippo. I find nothing. I then go off to work full of puzzlement.
I’m like Seinfeld at the movies
I agree with Sue ta 7.22
I disagree with Ant at 9.11
Just to be disagreeable.
Lol under tier
Well I’m glad that’s all been sorted out, now I can look forward to the next Gunner who scored 100+ goals…
NEW POST