Arsenal recorded their 10th Premier League win of the season with a sound victory over Stoke City at the Emirates on Saturday evening, though it took a comeback for it to happen.
The hosts were down to a goal after 29 minutes following Adams’ penalty kick. Xhaka’s swung elbow had caught Allen in the face, leaving the ref with no choice than to point to the spot, and Stoke’s skipper calmly sent Cech the wrong way to hand Arsenal a blow.
But just minutes before half-time, Walcott restored parity having thumped in Bellerin’s cross beyond Lee Grant.
The 2nd half saw Arsenal almost immediately take the lead, as Ozil connected with a Chamberlain cross from midfield to calmly beat the visitors’ goalie with a lifted header in the 49th minute.
2nd half substitute Iwobi, then put the game to bed some 25 minutes afterwards, as he pounced on a loose ball with the referee having waved play on after Sanchez was felled at the edge of the box.
The 20-year-old slotted a composed finish into the net to hand Arsenal a 3-1 victory.
Below is how the Gunners performed against Mark Hughes’ men:
Cech
Failed to save the 7th penalty he has come up against since arriving Emirates, but did well to deal with Crouch’s towering header.
Couldn’t keep a clean sheet – making it the 11th EPL game he has conceded in this season.
Rating : 7/10
Gabriel
Started out on the right but returned to the centre after Mustafi picked up a knock.
Was decent in helping to keep things together at the back.
Rating : 7/10
Mustafi
Lasted only 25 minutes before getting withdrawn after sustaining a hamstring injury.
He is set to miss the rest of the 4 league games in 2016.
Rating : N/A
Koscielny
Stood up against Arnautovic on a number of occasions and also did generally well to help provide cover at the back the few times the visitors threatened.
Rating : 8/10
Monreal
Did a good job linking with the attack but had little to do at the back.
Keeps getting better and more assuring every other game.
Rating : 8/10
Xhaka
Could have gotten easily sent off and cost the team for his foul.
Wasn’t too bad pulling the strings in midfield and did attempt a long-range effort at a time.
Rating : 6/10
Coquelin
Powerful display at the heart of the midfield to give little room for Allen and Imbula.
Kept the tackles strong and most importantly avoided any booking.
Rating : 8/10
Walcott
Did well to swiftly fire a shot that caught Grant Lee unaware and could have added more on the evening.
Brilliant display from the winger who definitely has Perez to contend with.
Rating : 8/10
Ozil
Ran the show and dictated the game’s tempo. Emerged from nowhere to lift his goal beyond the Stoke’s goalie to score his 5th league goal.
Such performances would be expected of him on a more regular basis.
Rating : 9/10
Oxlade-Chamberlain
Supplied Ozil with a very fine lob that caught the Stoke defence unaware.
His speed proved too much to handle the few times he burst forward.
Later came off for Iwobi.
Rating : 8/10
Sanchez
Was involved in the 1st and 3rd of Arsenal goals, and continually gave Indi a tough time.
Got withdrawn for Giroud in the closing minutes to get a deserved rest ahead of the busy schedule.
Rating : 8/10
SUBSTITUTES
Bellerin
Was initially left on the bench after his return from injury but was brought on for Mustafi.
Provided the assist for Arsenal’s equaliser and gave long-lost life to the right flank.
Rating : 8/10
Iwobi
Came off the bench to help put the win beyond any doubt and was neat in distributing the ball.
Rating : 8/10
Giroud
Couldn’t do much with the 10 minutes he spent after coming on for Sanchez.
Rating : N/A