Soooooo close. Lacazette hits the post. Attractive build up play.

Unlucky AMN.

The ball hit a bump and skipped up just as he went to hit it

Is Lacazette playing himself in to the team for the NLD?

if We can get a fully fit Partey and Elneny in central midfield dare Arteta try to play a 4-4-2?

It’s interesting just how much he is directing and orchestrating play. Real leadership.

Maitland Niles is a better footballer than Xhaka and ceballos. How they are keeping him out of the side I honestly couldn’t tell you.

Great goal

Oh yes. Needed that third goal. Nice sweeping move finished by a fox in the box (even if he did need two goes).

Great team goal

He doesn't suck up enough. If he was at another team he'd be playing week in week out. Just like the Ox.

3 great goals and it could have been more. Moving the ball forward much better.

Will Arteta have the balls to keep this front line up and leave Aubameyang on the bench.

Great third goal. It had speed of thought from numerous players.

Game should be won at half time at 3-0.

I'd like to see some more of Balogun and Smith Rowe in the second half. Possibly a debut for Azeez

Perhaps Chambers to play 45 minutes and take of Mari - ease them both back in after long lay offs

You could also make a case for getting Willian on to try to boost his confidence ahead of the NLD. Pépé is suspended so might as well keep him on for the 90 minutes. Nelson with 2 assists.

A central midfield of Elneny and AMN may not be everyone's cup of tea but in terms of physical attributes it is more of what I like to see, pace, power, mobility and just more of an eagerness to get the ball forward quickly.

Probably depends upon the fitness or otherwise of Partey.

Not sure how well this image will come out but this is the 3rd goal. Pépé out of shot put the cross in, Nelson already in the box about to receive the ball and 4 other players racing to get in the box. So good to see

Nelson created more chances in that 45 minutes than any Arsenal player has over 90 minutes all season. He's also not lost the ball once

Well that was a sliding doors moment. Almost 4-0 up, but in an instant it’s 3-1 despite Kolasinac’s heroics.

A lot more pace about the team which is great to see

Why are we playing in blue?

Are we in a wasting chances competition in the second half? Could have doubled our score.

Our red kit would clash with theirs and cause a problem for people with colour blindness, so apparently we opted to play in the blue

Flippin eck - Pépé tracking back and executing a great tackle!

Phew. Thank goodness for that. Slick interplay again.

All bolocks, isn’t it?

Does seem like an excuse by the kit marketing team

We seem to ‘have to’ change whether home or away. Not understanding that at all.

How was that not a yellow for Arase on Ceballos? High foot studs first.

More shirts for supporters to buy

Fair play to Pépé. I’ve been a very harsh critic of him, but he’s had a very good game tonight.

In particular, his work rate has been far superior to what I’ve seen him produce before.

There’s hope yet.

Very true. He and Lacazette have been excellent this evening.

Pleased to see Mari and Smith-Rowe, who both looked good, and Chambers as well back from injury. 10 decent minutes for Balogun as well. Bright and enjoyable performance overall, with the obvious caveat that the opposition were very ordinary.

It’ll be ironic, and good news, if the sending off at Leeds becomes the making of him.

Like rain on your wedding day? Or a free ride when you've already paid?

My gf has banned me from complaining about him.

At the risk of dampening the festive mood, the announcer said Rapid made 'several changes'. I am going to interpret that to mean not their best XI. So, I am putting this win in its proper context. Great mentally. Any win builds confidence. But I am not going to say 'we're back".

It was very important for Lacazette to score. I would have liked Pépé to score but Pépé giving assists is more important. He needs more team oriented play.

There was a nice post match review showing just what drive and energy and impetus AMN had provided from central midfield. Just what we are looking for in the Premier League then.

AMN interview last night, he was asked what he gave that central midfield role. He said he gave it some 'legs', more dynamic and an ability to get up and down the pitch'

He's spot on. For the time being ignore any thoughts on technique, passing etc just think about this mobility, speed and dynamic movement in the middle of the pitch. It was weak opposition granted, but it is what we're crying out for.

You beat me to it

Watch the footage of the goal from Smith Rowe again.

AMN runs at full pace 40 yards as fast as he can to get in an attacking position to square the ball for the goal.

I find it illogical he isn’t being picked in midfield and incomprehensible we would consider selling him. He’s a very good player who seems to understand how to play progressive football.

I find it infuriating that he keeps getting ignored in his natural midfield position.
I have been wanting him to be played in midfield for ages and how the slow ponderous Xhaka keeps getting selected ahead of him beggars belief.
AMN adds drive , pace and energy to the midfield and I can find it ridiculous Arteta hasn't tried him there more.
We are wasting his talents.
Seems the calls to play him there are growing.