With 9 straight wins in all competitions, Unai Emery and Arsenal are heading into the international break in fine form.
This was underlined by a 5 – 1 victory away to Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday. It is the biggest Arsenal victory for Unai Emery, and easily the best performance so far.
After waiting for something different to Arsene Wenger for so long, Arsenal fans had been waiting for a definitive performance. The mood so far has been one of uneasy optimism and strained patience.
Despite 8 straight wins before the Fulham game, Arsenal were unconvincing. The wins came despite playing badly and riding their luck, and Arsenal looked to be flattering to deceive.
In truth, what Arsenal fans had been waiting for was a sparkling performance. A game that highlights everything good about Unai Emery and the system he’s trying to implement. The type of performance that’s been lacking over the last two years.
Read: Tottenham Woes Continue in the Champions League.
The Arsenal fans finally got what they were waiting for on Sunday.
Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring with a smart finish after a Nacho Monreal pullback. Despite Andre Schurrle equalising just before half time, Arsenal looked in control of the game.
Arsenal came out for the second half firing on all cylinders, and it was Lacazette who got the second. He fired a volley into the bottom corner from just outside the box to reclaim the lead for Arsenal.
Aaron Ramsey then came on for Alex Iwobi, and it only took him 38 seconds to score Arsenal’s third. It was a fantasy goal, as Lacazette, Ramsey and Bellerin headers and volleyed their way upfield. Ramsey, heading the ball twice in the center of the park, found Mkhitaryan. Mkhitaryan’s inch perfect pass to Aubameyang set up the cross from the left, and Ramsey backheeled it into the goal. If there is a better goal scored all season, it’s going to need to be special.
Aubameyang scored the fourth and fifth to seal the game and mark real progress for Arsenal.
After the weekend’s action, Arsenal are 13/8 with Paddy Power to finish in the top four.
