Hector Bellerin returned to the starting XI at Stoke yesterday, and played a big part in our 4-1 win.
The Spanish full back got an assist for Olivier Giroud’s opening goal, crossing to provide the French international with a tap-in after he’d been sent free by Francis Coquelin.
It set the Gunners on their way to a third win in seven days, and Bellerin spoke afterwards about how hard they worked to make it happen.
“We knew that we were playing for our lives really, so any result other than a win wasn’t good for us,” he said.
“We knew that at the start of the game, so we knew we had to win no matter what. I think the team did really well.
“We had loads of chances, it was important to get them in and I think the team did really well.”
The win puts some pressure on Liverpool to not drop points at West Ham today, and the 22 year old said it showed there is still some spirit in the side.
“We have a lot of heart,” he said, a lot of character and, even though in some games it may not look like we’ve shown it, the team really wants to be there and we’ve shown that here.”
COYG… 3 GOOD POINTS… West Ham beat Liverpool for me…
West Ham didn’t show up, so barring the extremely unlikely scenario of Boro beating Liverpool on the last day, we, my friends, will be watching Arsenal on Thursday nights next season.
This little run we’ve been on has been great, but, just like our plucky pride-rescue performances in CL ties with Bayern in recent years, ultimately not good enough.
To put any faith in WHU was hopeless. As it turned out that first game of the season when we shit out to the scousers was such a big loss.
Still great to see we can win tough gigs like Stoke.
Other scenario is City getting beaten like 3-0 and we win 3-0.
City need to drop points in both their last two games as they’re 4 points ahead of us – just not gonna happen
Hopefully this can be something positive for the club. I don’t care about winning the Europa League, so rest players in that tournament just as we do for the league cup, and give a chance to youngsters and fringe players. We have the money, and it’s not like we were signing absolutely world class players when we were in the champions league. I’m gutted as everyone else is, but maybe now we can actually focus our attention on winning the league and rest our key players during pointless Europa league ties. I honestly love watching league cup games because I… Read more »
I don’t really mind where we play, as Long as we play good Football!
No more of that side to side, slow buildup nonsense.
More of what we have been doing recently please.
Tbh I feel the side to side slow build up was due to the passing ability of our midfielders, or rather the lack of. And to a degree our stagnant forwards. Without anyone being able to find Ozil fast, he can’t link up between midfield and attack fast enough, allowing the opponents to bring men back behind the ball. And when he does receive it finally, our forwards stay pretty still on the spot without making any runs. Almost like they’re hiding from Ozil. At least this new formation allows us to play Ramsey and mask his defiency, which is… Read more »
Keep it going for the last three games and we have a chance of a trophy and Europe.
We need to learn how to keep it going through the whole season.
Yeah, we’ll get it right next season!
We’re just 2 players away ?
“so any result other than a win wasn’t good for us,” When is it?
Not only did we win but after securing the points, watching Holding taking out that c*nt Arnautovic was my best moment.
Holding did good again. Wenger bought well at 2m which is 45m less than media endorsed Stones. BUT it is important also not to get over carried away with him. He is a far better talent than Elneny or Jenko but the same sort of over praise for these sort of favorite (can do no wrong) players is myopic at best. Holding was hardly the stand out player for me at Stoke. I thought in fact Coquelin (and Granit) have shown tremendous improvement in midfield and have found some fluency (to some extent Ramsey) and this will be critical for… Read more »
Downvote before I read…
It’s been a while but you guys did well yesterday, COYG
You guys? Are you or are you not a “Gunner”:D
No, he’s RVP.
Players must feel they need to win every single game before getting on the pitch. That’s how you win titles not you lose two or three games and think there are still 25 games to go before end of season or believe other things than trophies define success.
We have a trophy still worthy of winning.
The FA cup will either go to Chelski in which case they get the double or we can make history again and win it for the most number of times (Wenger will be the most successful manager in the cup)
If you ask me if I’d prefer say FA cup and CL OR no cups and Second best trophy (ala Spurts), I think I’d plumb for the former.
Doesn’t he get an assist for alexis’ goal too?
Bellerin.
He got two assists.
But you won’t hear 7amkickoff mention that because he is selective with what he wants to show.
Bellerin (at 13) since last season has the third highest number of assists for the club after Ozil and Alexis.
Sadly, still looking like this run will be too little too late in the league, but please keep it going into the Cup Final.
Sorry to crash the party but this late in the season I can’t get excited for a win if the opponents for top 4 don’t also drop points. In the end all we will remember is that we will play Thursday night football.
It’s important that we play well because we’re Arsenal fans and a win against a cunty team like Stoke should always put a smile on your face… or are you not a gooner??? Also this gives us hope of actually beating Chelsea in the final.
Team that’s already won the league, coasts a bit, versus a team that steadily builds itself on four straight, convincing victories. That’s the positive way to look at it. And as usual, you could look at it however you want. Here’s to a great cup final and an Arsenal victory–COYG!
Can’t trust West Ham to do anything right.
May be a case of too little too late. Wet Hams are getting hammered which leaves already relegated nothing to play for Boro all that’s left against Liverpool. Schitty don’t look likely to drop the ball against Wet Brums or Hornets either. Thereby we need to prepare for likelihood of Thursday night. I think we should be keeping Alexis. Ozil can stay or leave IMO. Who we need to buy is Konoplyanka from Sevilla. He’s still a bit unsettled. He is an excellent playmaker type with superb ball skills that can also deploy left side (left footed) and play deeper… Read more »
That’s one long ass comment which has an equally long ass downvotes
Can we get this guy to manage Sp*rs please or at least have him as an advisor to Moaniho?
Too little too late, barring a Liverpool collapse next Sunday, providing of course we win our remaining two games. On the one hand not qualifying for the UCL is a gutter and will affect our transfer success this summer, and of course our negotiations with the half a squad who have a year left come the summer. On the other hand it is probably the only thing thag will make our spineless board sit up and take notice. And of course I want to finish as high as possible but have resigned myself to Europa Lge football next season. Hey,… Read more »
For years i was thinking that maybe CL is just too big for us, we never past round-16 for the last 5 years(more or less) so it’s a good chance to see how well we are when we play a tier-2 team in Europe. The downside is if we fully commit to Europa we’ll face the time management issue and fatigue/injury problem to players hence we need a good team-B to compete which is also one of our weakness, we don’t have a good team-B although our squad’s depth looks decent. Next year will be massive, i’d love to see… Read more »
Not getting CL footie could mean a proper good go at the PL title next season a chance to rest and rotate the main players and leave Thursday nights for other players to get game time and match fitness.
It’s a change for us that could have a positive out come, also with the less games maybe we get less injuries which would be nice.
You still have to play on synthetic surfaces and and travel so what happens when the whole B team gets injured?
Seems like we’re pretty much stuck in fifth.
Next season will be even more difficult.
I have a feeling Sp*rs will revert to type next season though while they’re playing at Wembley. They couldn’t handle it in the CL.
If we’re to have any chance next season we need to retain this formation, though I do worry it’s just a temporary solution and we’ll end up playing the old one again.