The Chilean got the slightest of touches on Alex Iwobi’s shot to give Arsenal the lead after 17 minutes, and Jake Livermore was sent off for deliberate handball just before half-time.
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Sanchez stepped up to take the resulting spot kick but saw his low shot toward the bottom left-hand corner tipped away by Jakupovic. Despite Jack Wilshere starting for his new club, City showed their ruthlessness up front, particularly on the counterattack, with Kevin De Bruyne, Kelechi Iheanacho, Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan, another first-time Premier League goalscorer, all netting in a 4-0 win. With a record of 21 wins in last 25 league games against a newly promoted side, the Gunners were expected to do well and they did exactly that.
Wenger, in a season when the pressure is on him to deliver silverware, will likely feel there is plenty to build on from this performance. Theo Walcott started as a winger for Arsenal’s game against Hull today, but he has got himself on the scoresheet in the second half.
“Overall, he’s only 20 years old so you could see that he has gained in confidence now”.
Arsenal made it two before that, with a swift move that ended with Iwobi backheeling Walcott through, with his shot ending in the net via Harry Maguire’s head.
“Yes, he had a good performance, and you want him to improve”, said the Arsenal manager after the Hull match. Robert Snodgrass closed the gap to a single goal, but Arsenal’s response was to score two more.
Mike Phelan’s side might have been comfortably outclassed by Arsenal here, but the scoreline perhaps flattered the visitors. “Once we’ve sorted out the details, we’ll make the decision”.
Theo Walcott and Granit Xhaka were the other two scorers who confirmed a convincing win for the Gunners.
Arsenal return to action on Tuesday evening in the EFL Cup, where they will face Championship side Nottingham Forest.
“I think so. Maybe in the time gone we might have been bullied in these sorts of games, but everyone was physically strong and we’re getting better, stronger and fitter in each game now”.
His repeated omission is becoming an increasing concern, as much for what it says about Arsene Wenger’s ability to judge players in the transfer market as it does about his team selection.
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Referee Roger East consulted with his assistant before pointing to the spot and Snodgrass fired his seventh goal in seven games for club and country, but hopes of a fightback were nipped in the bud.
