(Highlights below from Arsenalist.)
The Orcs gave a good account of themselves today. Mark Hughes has them playing good football, and they have the talent and muscle to give any team a hard time. When they saw an opening, they went for it, and only poor finishing kept them from getting a goal in the run of play. But Joe Allen earned a penalty by inducing Xhaka to block him off the ball in the area, with Granit's elbow at a convenient height for Allen to ram his face into. The PK was awarded for the block, not the elbow, or there'd have been a card. By the third replay, I had to admit that Lee Mason got it right, although my first impression was very different. Charley Adam, who looks like Shaqiri's long-lost older brother, converted the penalty, and Stoke found themselves in a very unfamiliar position at the Emirates: a goal up.
Mustafi went down with a hamstring injury (let's hope it isn't severe) and that forced Wenger to put in Hector Bellerin for Gabriel at right back, the latter sliding over to partner Koscielny. While he showed a bit of rust, Hector was fantastic the rest of the way. (This is no knock on Gabriel, who did very well.) He was found all alone not-so-wide right and put an excellent cross in to Theo who finished beautifully from close range to stab it between the post and the keeper. Wonderful finish, and the game was tied.
We picked up where we left off after the half, as our superior technical ability wore down the game Potters. As Pieters was making his way back onto the field after recovering from a collision, Ox saw Ozil making a run and lobbed a perfect pass to him all alone in the area. The keeper didn't have any good options, but chose to come halfway out. Ozil noticed this and instead of bringing the ball down and attacking, he headed the ball over the keeper and into the net. Lovely. On 74 minutes, another attack could have resulted in a dangerous free kick near the corner of the box (Alexis was brought down) but Mason allowed play on and Iwobi pounced on the loose ball, took a touch or two, and placed it hard and low into the far corner. Arsenal had the better of the play nearly all half and never looked too uncomfortable. It was an impressive win against a team that was in good form.
It looks even better after Man City's 4-2 collapse in Leicester. (Sagna was in central defense and did not look convincing.) We're at the top of the table on goal difference, pending tomorrow's Chelsea game.
Everyone played well. Xhaka is exasperating with his silly fouls, but he was a beast all game. Kos was magnificent in the middle, and the other defenders did their jobs well. Ox had that assist and looked dangerous at times, but I do wish he'd help Monreal more consistently on defense. Coquelin was his typical efficient self. Ozil ran the game well, and that goal was delicious. Walcott did help on defense and he got the crucial goal to bring us back on level terms before the half. He might have gotten more on another day--he was strong. Alexis gave Stoke's back line fits until he was relieved by Giroud. Iwobi came on for Ox and was very good. It was a solid team performance. Cech made a nice save from a header by the ageless Peter Crouch when it was 2-1. He deserved the clean sheet, but for the PK.
We go to Goodison Tuesday to take on Everton, who looked pretty bad today in a 3-2 loss at the Vicarage to Watford, then to the Etihad Sunday for what Pep has to be thinking is a must-win game. I don't know if Fernandinho will be back from suspension, but I believe Aguero will still be serving a ban for his horrible challenge on Sideshow Bob last week. I like our chances. We're playing so well now that confidence has to be running through the squad. Mustafi is a big miss, but he'll be back and meanwhile Gabriel and Holding can do the job. Here's hoping Mertesacker can round into shape and give us a few games this season as well.
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