Even Stoke's Friendly Referee Couldn't Stop Alexis

Match Review: Arsenal 3-0 Stoke City - Premier League: 10/01/15

Stoke at home, unlike the reverse fixture, has become a lock in three points for us. Stoke’s record at the Emirates is even worse than ours is at their place. There was only one team in it on Sunday and Stoke were well beaten despite their usual attempts to injure each and every Arsenal player. The result also meant we overtook Sp*rs and moved one point behind Man Utd after their home defeat to Southampton.

Following both a dip in form and the quite astonishing revelation that he’d been caught smoking in the shower, Szczesny found himself relegated to the bench and David Ospina started in goal. It could well be the start of a long run in the team for the Colombian who hasn’t had much of an opportunity to put Szczesny under pressure for the starting role. Olivier Giroud came back into the side following his suspension, meaning Alexis shifted out wide. Rosicky, Cazorla and Coquelin started, with Ramsey, Flamini and Özil available on the bench. The only negatives were that both Gibbs (achilles) and Chambers (illness) missed the squad entirely.

In contrast to the fixture at the Britannia, it was Arsenal that made the bright start and after Alexis had forced Begovic into an early save, he then turned provider. Rosicky forced a corner after skinning several Stoke defenders and shooting across goal. Alexis' corner was, as per usual, poor and didn't beat the first man, but luckily Koscielny got to the rebound and knocked it back to the Chilean. Alexis returned the favour, whipping a perfect cross in for Koscielny to glance past Begovic. A goal within six minutes is rare at the Emirates, but we made a pleasingly fast start for once.

Stoke had Begovic to thank for still being in the game, as he made a number of excellent saves. We looked like we could cut Stoke open at will and, as ever, the man at the heart of things was Alexis Sanchez. He's become our talisman and he was simply unplayable on Sunday, running rings around the lumbering Stoke defenders. It was inevitable that he'd strike at some point, but when he did, it was pure magic.

Initially it came from a Stoke mistake, with Alexis stealing the ball after a misplaced pass. N'Zonzi lunged in with a horror tackle, but Alexis simply flicked the ball past him to Rosicky and then ran on to collect the return. Speeding into the box, it seemed as if he was going to try and work an angle to curl the ball into the far corner, but before anyone had time to react, he fired a snapshot in at the near post. It was such an intelligent goal, the finish was so precise and you can only applaud and marvel at the inventiveness of it.

A two-nil lead was the very least we deserved from the first half, with Stoke's contribution limited to several swinging elbows from Peter Crouch and Arnautovic shoving Debuchy into the advertising hoardings, causing him to dislocate his shoulder. Referee John Moss let them get away with tons of nasty little fouls and some where the ball was won, but using seriously excessive force. Debuchy, Monreal, Koscielny and Alexis were all on the receiving end of challenges that warranted yellow cards, but unsurprisingly Stoke's thuggery was once again excused as being just 'physical'.

John Moss' lack of control over the game was highlighted early in the second half, as we won a free kick on the edge of the area. The referee attempted to move the wall back ten yards, but when they were reluctant to retreat the full distance, he simply gave up and just sprayed the line where they had got to. Personally, I was stunned, I've not seen a referee fold to the players before and show such weakness. Not only that but the Stoke wall then proceeded to inch forward over and in front of the foam, to which the referee turned a blind eye too. But, karma's a bitch and Alexis' low struck free kick deflected through the wall and squirmed past Begovic via the post, a goal that probably wouldn't have been possible had the wall been in its proper position. Not that Alexis cared much, as he celebrated his 18th goal of the season.

We should have had many more, we had the chances, particularly when Walcott dragged horribly wide after being sent clear by Alexis. The result was never in doubt and Ospina wasn't really tested at all, something that will be very different if he plays against City next week. With Southampton surprisingly beating Man Utd at Old Trafford, we are now just a point behind Van Gaal's supposed 'title contenders' and three behind Saints in third. With important players coming back from injury ahead of a number of crucial games, we're in a good position to secure a top four place and make a run in the FA Cup again.

Teams

Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
Ospina, Debuchy (Bellerin 13'), Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Rosicky, Alexis, Chamberlain (Walcott 68'), Giroud (Özil 73')
Subs
Szczesny, Bellerin, Flamini, Ramsey, Özil, Walcott, Campbell

Stoke City (4-5-1)
Begovic, Pieters (Muniesa 45'), Shawcross, Wollscheid (Y), Cameron (Y), N'Zonzi (Sidwell 45'), Whelan, Walters, Bojan (Ireland 73'), Arnautovic (Y), Crouch (Y)
Subs
Butland, Muniesa, Sidwell, Ireland, Adam, Moses, Wilson

Player Ratings

Ospina - 7/10 - Didn't have a huge amount to do, but kept a clean sheet
Debuchy - N/A - Injured before he had a chance to influence the game
Mertesacker - 7/10 - Solid
Koscielny - 8/10 - So important to have him back and even contributed a goal
Monreal - 8/10 - Seriously impressive and Gibbs can't believe his place is safe
Coquelin - 7/10 - Prone to the odd moment of madness, but another impressive showing
Cazorla - 7/10 - Difficult to stand out when faced with Alexis, but was impressive
Rosicky - 7/10 - Still full of energy and a magnificent asset for the squad
Chamberlain - 7/10 - Showing signs that he's developing into a magnificent player
Alexis - 9/10 - Could have only been better had he scored a hat trick. Incredible
Giroud - 6/10 - Looked a little rusty following his break, but also manhandled by Stoke
Subs
Bellerin - 8/10 - Showing serious talent and I'd back him to start next week
Walcott - 6/10 - Rusty as an old gate and showed it with his missed chance
Özil - 6/10 - Lacking match fitness but fantastic to see him back

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