Goals from Walcott, Ozil and Iwobi helped settle the affair against Stoke City for Arsenal as they moved to the top of the table with a 3-1 victory at the Emirates.
Arsenal produced a mature performance worthy of Premier League title challengers as they overcome a tricky test presented by Stoke City at the Emirates to come through 3-1 victors against Mark Hughes’ side. It wasn’t the best performance from the Gunners by any yardstick but their ability to pull one out of the bag in such games is a mark of champions and is one that’ll amply please boss Arsene Wenger.
It was a tough start for Arsenal though who went behind courtesy of a Charlie Adam penalty after Granit Xhaka’s clumsy challenge on Joe Allen. Fans, however, had their own opinion about the Swiss international’s tackle.
Joe Allen is about 4 foot 3. Of course he’s gonna run into Xhakas elbow.
— Dinklage (@Dinklage_Afc) December 10, 2016
Hats off to Stoke medical staff mimicking wiping up imaginary blood off Joe Allen’s head for 2 minutes
— Bergkamp & Bergkamp (@Orangeiceman10) December 10, 2016
Refs are atrocious! Xhaka has to go for that elbow on Allen. Gives a pen but no card…If it was Pogba he’d be banned for 10 games already
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) December 10, 2016
Arsenal fans after they saw Xhaka foul Allen in the box?? #ARSSTK pic.twitter.com/xE4arl7ekr
— You (@Its_Owens) December 10, 2016
They’ve just bounced off each other. Xhaka got the ball. The penalty is basically because Allen is a midget and Xhaka is massive and physics
— Flâneur (@Flannyballs) December 10, 2016
Arsenal have conceded five penalties now this season, more than in the previous two campaigns put together
— Orbinho (@Orbinho) December 10, 2016
Remember when Xhaka scored a long range goal and Arsenal fans kept making hair cut jokes lol. Swiss Charlie Adam.
— _ (@JoseMourinhod) December 10, 2016
THREE consecutive penalties against Arsenal at the Emirates.
— Danny Welbeck (@WelBeast) December 10, 2016
The Gunners, however, responded strongly and found the equalizer just before half-time through Theo Walcott. The England international completed a wonderful team move by meeting Hector Bellerin’s cross to break Lee Grant’s resilience in goal. After that, it was Arsenal all along with Ozil giving his side the lead for the first time in the game with his 49th minute strike before Alex Iwobi settled the tie with a 3rd in the 75th minute.
Congratulations to Theo Walcott, his 10th of the season and his 100th club goal of his career. #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/oqFRdZO9aq
— Arsenal (@tomgunner14) December 10, 2016
Theo Walcott makes it 1-1. #afc pic.twitter.com/Fs3KzEXDYX
— Ö (@WengerTactic) December 10, 2016
10th goal of the season for Theo Walcott, you know what that means ☕ pic.twitter.com/YEK2qybB0b
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) December 10, 2016
Walcott: ‘This is the best team I have ever been involved in’ pic.twitter.com/tOoAnmjrFC
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) December 10, 2016
Negative trend for Arsenal: 5-1, 4-1, 3-1. Wenger must be worried…
— Mattias Karén (@MattiasKaren) December 10, 2016
Arsenal continue their impressive form and go top of the Premier League. Cause for celebration ? pic.twitter.com/mCE76UTYpk
— Freebets.co.uk (@freebetscouk) December 10, 2016
Arsenal
✅ 3 Points
✅ 3 Goals
✅ Walcott’s 100th Goal ⚽️
✅ Özil ⚽️
✅ Iwobi ⚽️
✅ Top of the League
✅ Confidence ⬆️#ArsenalPositives— Michael Gooner (@MickTheGooner) December 10, 2016
Arsenal’s Premier League form since losing to Liverpool:
DWWWWWWDWDDWWW
We donated the Ls to all the teams below us in the league table
— Danny Welbeck (@WelBeast) December 10, 2016
Özil ?
Last season: 45 games, 8 goals
This season: 20 games, 9 goals pic.twitter.com/Z7pDfxweuy— Arsenal News ⚽️ (@__arsenalnews_) December 10, 2016