Hull were their usual obliging selves at the KC and we came away with three points. The Gunners dominated when the sides were even, scoring in the 17th minute as Iwobi smashed one in (it barely brushed Alexis, who got the goal, but it was going in anyway). It got worse for Hull 20 minutes later, when an obvious intentional handball stopped a shot from Coquelin which was headed straight for the keeper anyway. Hull's GK stared daggers at Livermore, the culprit who was red-carded for the offense, but repelled the Alexis PK that followed. Wenger said after the game that Cazorla was supposed to take PKs, and would be asking some pointed questions of his players.
The one goal lead looked safe with a man advantage, but football's a funny game and I was relieved to see this really nice sequence from Iwobi and Walcott to make it 2-0 Gunners, Theo's 100th senior goal. The importance of that was emphasized when Hull (they never gave up) got one back on a PK as Cech made it too easy for the Hull forward to flop over his prone body. But credit to them for the move. Alexis cleaned up a Walcott rebound to restore the two-goal lead, And Xhaka, on for Cazorla, showed why he should be starting with a thunderbolt for the fourth goal. It had to be from over 30 yards, just under the crossbar, and swerving away from the keeper.
It was important not to lose intensity after the PSG game, and we did come out ready to play. Iwobi once again was not the most defensively aware winger, but he combined really well on offense and is going to feature often this season. Alexis started up top again, which I find hard to believe is as good as having Perez up there, but it worked out. Ozil worked hard but wasn't the maestro he was so often this time last year. I have no real complaints, though, as Arsenal easily outclassed Hull at equal strength and when a man up. A good three points, and no one hurt either.
PS Rudy Gestede scored on a Koscielnyesque bicycle kick last weekend for Villa. Just sayin'.
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