The Gunners managed to continue the great form they displayed in their Champions League qualifier thrashing of Fenerbahçe, as they cruised to a 3-1 win at Craven Cottage under an absolute downpour for most of the match.

Goals from Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski sealed the deal for Arsenal, though Fulham managed to pull back a consolation goal in the form of a tap in by Darren Bent.

The Good

There were a lot of positives in the first half, specifically another goal from Giroud, a few big saves from Szczesny, Cazorla… just Cazorla overall, great counter attacking play which lasted throughout the match and a big one, competent refereeing.

Giroud’s finish puts him at three goals in three matches this season, which isn’t too surprising when you think about it as he had a very good preseason- scoring goals left and right on the Gunners’ Asia Tour.

Suarez doesn’t have 3 in 3; he doesn’t even have any! Well he’s banned, but still, well done Giroud. Hopefully he can manage another next Sunday, as he’ll most likely be rested in the return leg against Fenerbahçe at the Emirates.

The ever inconsistent but enthusiastic Szczesny had a good day in goal as he posted some important saves, his double save from Taarabt’s shot then quickly getting back up to deny Damien Duff’s rebound was exceptional. He also managed to avoid charging 25 yards up the pitch, good day for him.

Ramsey and Cazorla were both phenomenal today. Cazorla was deployed in his favored, creative attacking mid role and did what he does best – diced the Fulham defense and created opportunity after opportunity for us, particularly for Walcott.

Surely Cazorla showed Wenger today that he belongs in the middle and not on the left. (It pains me to see him isolated and restricted out there)

Then there’s Ramsey. Shaky and inconsistent performances by him last season led me to question him, but toward the end of the season, throughout preseason, against Fenerbahçe on Wednesday (wow) and today he has been absolute class. Barclay’s MOTM, and deservedly so. He and Cazorla ran the show today. Well done Rambo.

Another huge plus is that we didn’t have Anthony Taylor officiating the match. Total buffoon. Rightly not given a match this weekend. I thought Webb was a little harsh on Wilshere’s yellow, but small complaint compared to last weekend’s debacle.

The Bad

There were only a few negatives in my opinion. Our defense without Koscielny appears quite fragile and very open to breakdown. I’m not sold on Sagna as a centre back, although he did OK, and Jenkinson just is not up to par as I think he sometimes believes he is a spectator.

We weren’t able to cope with Berbatov’s quick touch and shot, which led to Bent’s goal. Although that appears a small thing today, what happens if we have to play this same back line against Spuds next weekend? Soldado will wreak havoc if he’s not properly taken care of.

Lastly, though not necessarily about the game, our squad is very noticeably, very thin. We had Zelalem and Gnabry on the bench. Now this wouldn’t normally bother me, but the reason it did today is because they were there out of necessity, we have no other options.

We need a deeper squad, I know we all know this, but it needs to be done. I very much hope to see Gnabry and Zelalem get in some matches this season, but under the right circumstances, not desperation like when we were down against Schalke, last season, and Wenger threw Gnabry in because there was no one else (good performance though).

Oh, and Sanogo…. Not impressed.

The Ugly

Walcott’s header today wasn’t what I would show kids when teaching them proper technique, but hey never a bad day when Theo gets up for a header. Unfortunately, however, we probably won’t see it again until after Christmas.

Great performance overall, especially on the attack, hopefully we can keep it up and even make it better.

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