As you might expect, Arsene Wenger was in a chipper mood after watching Arsenal beat West Ham United at the London Stadium.
Alexis Sanchez grabbed a hat-trick, sandwiched by strikes by Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, as the Gunners sealed a 5-1 that takes them up to second in the Premier League table.
Here’s what the boss had to say to BT Sport after the match…
On an impressive win…
Yeah, we had many strong periods in the game. The regret we had at half-time was that we didn’t take advantage of the chances we created. We just felt it was important for us to maintain our pressure and not let them come into our half as they have tricky players around the box. Overall, I’m pleased with the result and the performance.
On being frustrated at times…
Everybody who is in football knows that you deserve to be punished if you don not take your chances. Sometimes you get away with it like today.
On Alexis…
For me, it took him a while to get mentally into the game. He’s a fighter, he’s a winner, he can always deliver something special. He has short back lift, he’s quick, he’s quick to close down. He has been exceptional.
On his side being a ‘different’ Arsenal…
Yes. I must say as well that it happened to us here last year [dropping points]. As well though West Ham lacks confidence at the moment, you feel that they need to win a big game for them to come back to their normal level. For us, it was important not to let them equalise. That would have created a big boost.
On Gabriel…
At the moment, yes he’s ok [after a couple of injury scares]. He’s done quite well in this position [right-back], he’s mobile, he’s a good defender, even offensively he’s done well.
Well done Gabe, tremendous character shown this week. Would love to see him kick on now and become an important fixture in this team.
Well said. With his athleticism, he probably offers more at fullback than centre-back. And liked his willingness to run in front of the ball.
Not good enough technically for that position but I’d rather he’s lacking a bit with his crossing than with his positioning. Better to be solid than flair like. Happy with his performances.
Yes, adds stability and lets Monreal go forward more.
Best thing about Gabe on RB is he’s defensively solid. He wasn’t a very good crosser though but to have a defensively solid RB backup is good enough until Bellerin returns.
Too early I know but I like Gabriel in this role.
He can head the ball. His defensive instincts counts for a lot at away games. How many times have we seen our full back out jumped at the center circle. I loved it when he was tackling and leaving a little bit in there during the previous home game.
Was fearing the worst when he was on the deck. So pleased for the lad after a terrible few days. COYR.
That was one of the best hatricks I’ve ever seen.
£250,000 a week? Oh, I think so.
Not only that, but alexis looked happy playing his football today.
Even though they play different styles, I like to have my nephew watch alexis and his workrate, and how much he helps out the team by defending from the front. Hey, he’s only 12 and already taller than the Chilean, but hard work from a striker is important in the modern game- and he could do well to learn from one of the hardest working footballers out there.
The problem is not Arsenal not offering the money. It is convincing Alexis that he can win a league title and Champions League at Arsenal. That is why it is so important that Arsenal get to at least the semi finals and are in the fight for the title till the last day.
The look on Bilic’s face by the end. A dead eyed stare. He was muttering to himself and twitching like Harry Rednapp. That is what Alexis can do to the opposition.
I almost felt sorry for them.
On MOTD, Shearer says on being pressed if Alexis was world class that if he helps Arsenal the title, (only) then he is. What makes the Premier League title the yardstick for world class definition? Is Vardey world class (Robert Huth anyone)? This guy is the major reason why Chile won the Cope America against fancied teams like Brazil and Argentina. The same Argentina which contained arguably the best footballer ever, plus a num of other world class including Auguro. For someone with such footballing pedigree as Shearer, he is unbelievably self-centred to be a pundit on a medium like… Read more »
Best footballer ever? Can someone tell this geezer about Diego.
to be fair, he did say ‘arguably’
Shearer spoke shite about Alexis “world class” status for 5 minutes. Recognising this, Chris Sutton attempted to be the voice of reason by stating assertively “he is world class”. Shearer couldn’t even let that go – first appearing to agree, before blurting out “only if they win the league !” What a complete prick – wouldn’t know world class if it came up and smacked him in the face.
Shearer is indisputably a grade-A cunt.
Shearer is nicking a living from the bbc.
Wasn’t Shearer saying at the beginning of the year that he didn’t think Alexis was a striker? Now he’s saying Wenger should have had him as striker for the last two years.
Must say, I’m glad Wenger has finally realised that Alexis is his fantasy player. You’ve got to unshackle him and let him go wherever he likes (and defend when the right opportunities come up).
Spot on. He fits in well at MotD, cuntish gooner haters.
Mr. Wenger, please push through those contract renewals for Mezut and Alexis.
Monreal was back to his best 2. Alexis was cosmic. I’m not ashamed to say it. I Love another man
Wenger has his flaws but you have give him credit for developing players. Alexis and Ozil have both kicked up a gear since coming to arsenal, Bellerin has become almost world class from an unknown youth player, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin from pretty unknown players to key players in a title challenging team. Even Giroud has improved massively since coming to Arsenal. Hope he works his magic in Xhaka too. The man is one of the best in maximising the potential level of his players.
Alex Ox is a good player but only he can make some open mistakes which he can easily avoid, he qualifies to start 1st eleven