ARSENAL gave West Brom their second trouncing in just five days as they turned on the style in the snow.
The Gunners appear to have turned over a new leaf of late, putting a run of seven league games without a victory behind them with three wins on the bounce.
The Gunners gave West Brom a battering in the snowCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And if this performance is anything to go by, Mikel Arteta’s side are growing in confidence by the week, as they oozed quality and verve against the hapless Baggies.
Here’s how SunSport’s Etienne Fermie rated each Arsenal performer.
BERND LENO – 6
Alert to palm away a Matt Phillips effort on 21 minutes. Saved Matheus Pereira’s strike early in the second half only to beaten by the rebound – but was spared by the offside flag.
Little to do, but claimed a cross well on the hour mark. Got down low to deny Rekeem Harper at the death.
HECTOR BELLERIN – 6
Decent fizzing shot early on tested Sam Johnstone. Booked for a late challenge on Conor Gallagher.
Replaced by Ainsley Maitland-Niles early in the second half after appearing to take a knock.
Hector Bellerin was booked in the first halfCredit: AFP
ROB HOLDING – 7
Miscued pass bizarrely handed West Brom a rare corner in the first half.
Otherwise a decent outing for the 25-year-old, who is rumoured to be close to agreeing a new contract.
PABLO MARI – 7
Offered decent passing out from the back, but was afforded a lot of time by West Brom’s reluctance to close down the Arsenal backline.
Solid again on his third consecutive start.
KIERAN TIERNEY – 9
Tormented Darnell Furlong before unleashing a wonderful right-footed curling shot past Johnstone to make it 1-0 to the Gunners.
Constantly offered an outlet on the left flank, oozing with quality on the ball.
Perfect cross to pick out Alexandre Lacazette for the striker’s second.
Kieran Tierney unleashed an unstoppable strike past Sam JohnstoneCredit: Guardian News & Media / Free to use by all titles in perpetuity under NMC agreement
DANI CEBALLOS – 8
Sublime first-time pass to play Bukayo Saka in-behind in the 16th minute.
Another wonderful through-ball early in the second half nearly sent Lacazette in on goal. Booked late on.
GRANIT XHAKA – 8
Set the tempo for his side with crisp, smart passing.
Swiss midfielder is running the show in a more understated manner of late.
BUKAYO SAKA – 9
Inches away from giving his side a 16th minute lead. Finished off a wonderful Gunners move with a simple effort following intricate passing for 2-0.
Lovely swivel and cross eventually led to Lacazette’s Gunners third.
Withdrawn for Willian after taking a knock with 20 minutes to go.
Bukayo Saka finished off a glorious, free-flowing moveCredit: Getty Images – Getty
EMILE SMITH ROWE – 8
Showed promise early on with a lovely turn to swivel past Romaine Sawyers.
Unselfishly squared the ball to Saka for Arsenal’s second. Looked incredibly comfortable playing incisive, one-touch football, and even filled in defensively when needed.
Nearly grabbed himself a goal after Semi Ajayi crashed the ball off his own post… only to smack the ball at the Nigerian on the line.
Academy starlet Smith Rowe produced another encouraging outing for the GunnersCredit: AFP
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG – 6
Picked out Tierney in the build-up to Arsenal’s fourth.
Relatively muted performance in comparison to the Gunners’ other forward players.
Stung Johnstone’s palms late on.
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE – 9
Lovely pass to Smith Rowe in the build-up to Arsenal’s second. Danced past Branislav Ivanovic on the stroke of half time but rifled his subsequent shot straight at Johnstone.
Couldn’t quite defy a tight angle to score after rounding Johnstone following Ceballos’ brilliant pick out.
Frenchman did finally get on the scoresheet, tucking away the rebound after Smith Rowe’s shot was cleared off the line.
Bagged a second from a yard out when found by Tierney’s centre.
French striker looked a constant menace up frontCredit: PA:Press Association
SUBSTITUTES
Ainsley Maitland-Niles (for Bellerin, 54) – 6
Solid, if understated outing for the England international.
Willian (for Saka, 71) – 7
Should have produced a better finish when picked out by a wonderful Tierney cross in the 75th minute. Lovely pass to send Lacazette in-behind. Reasonably bright showing.
Joe Willock (for Smith Rowe, 77) – 6
Did little wrong in his brief cameo.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
