After a poor week which saw Arsenal handed a 5-1 whooping at Anfield last Saturday and a dire 0-0 draw against a weak Manchester United side at the Emirates in mid-week, Arsene Wenger’s men got back to winning ways by beating Liverpool 2-1 in the FA Cup earlier at home, thus progressing to the quarter-finals of the competition and making them one of the favourites with BitBet.com.
Wenger made seven changes to the side which drew to United in their last outing and handed a surprise debut to 21-year-old Yaya Sanogo.
Much was expected from the team and the fans got what they wanted – a spirited performance and, more importantly, a vital win in a competition the Gunners are more than capable of triumphing in.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain bagged Arsenal’s first goal of the day after Mesut Ozil collected a clearance from a corner and pumped the ball it into the box which fell to Sanogo who had a shot blocked. The ball then ended up at Chambo’s feet, with the young winger finding the back of the net from close range.
Arsenal went into the interval 1-0 up but could have been going in level if not for some great goalkeeping from Lukasz Fabianski.
Wenger’s men started off the second 45 brightly and were 2-0 up by the 48th minute through Lukas Podolski. Ozil played a lovely weighted through pass to Chamberlain, who was bombing down the right flank. The England winger then cut it back to an on rushing Podolski in the box who netted with his weaker foot.
Arsenal were in control from then on but things got a little bit tense after Podolski clipped Luis Suarez in the box for a penalty which Steven Gerrard converted.
Wenger made some tactical changes to hold on to what he had and the team managed to do so and beat the side they were humbled by eight days ago.
Arsenal now face Everton in the quarter-final stage and should they overcome the Toffees then many would expect the Gunners to headline the final in mid-May.
So what FIVE things did we learn from our side earlier today?
Let us know what you think below
The temper physicality of Yaya sango was incridable