Match report – Player ratings – By the numbers – Video

The thing about watching football that kicks off at 1am is that when 1am comes around you’ve probably had a few beers, and so the next day it’s a bit more difficult to remember the game in the kind of detail you normally do.

Suffice to say there was great delight at the win and in typical Arsenal style we made it difficult for ourselves by dominating the game and then falling behind to their first shot on goal. I mean, it could have not been their first shot on goal, but it feels like it was and it was one of those scenarios we’ve all seen before.

There was a big Petr Cech save just before half-time after Mertesacker had been fouled, then it was half-time, and after that we scored a couple of goals in quick succession which ultimately led to the three points. First up was Sead Kolasinac, reacting quickest to a ball that broke his way and the Bosnian fired home from inside the area for his third goal of the season.

Then he turned provider after Xhaka’s lovely pass found him in lots of space down the left hand side. He pulled the ball back perfectly for Aaron Ramsey who finished with his left foot to make it 2-1.

After that, it’s all a bit hazy but obviously the fact we had to replace Kolasinac due a recurrence of his hip injury is a bit of a worry. He was unlikely to play against Red Star Belgrade on Thursday anyway, but going to Man City next weekend without him would be a bit of a blow.

Arsene Wenger said of his replacement:

It’s a hip problem, a tight muscle in his hip. How long will he be out? I don’t know. We hope to get him fit for next Sunday.

And then of his contribution:

I believe that since he has arrived, he has convinced everybody that he’s a good signing. When you see the quality of his performance again today, you see there are still some good deals to make out there.

Considering he arrived for a fee of no pounds and zero pence, you have to say we’ve got good value from him so far. Fingers crossed he’s ok for next weekend, because not only do you feel he makes us stronger down that left hand side, he can make an impact in the opposition half, and we’re going to need everything we’ve got against City.

Overall, you’d rather we didn’t go behind the way we did, and this habit of ours of doing so in that particular way is endlessly frustrating, but we had enough character and quality to make up for it and take the three points. Given what went on around us, it was a win we really needed so you can’t argue with the result.

Finally for this morning, thanks to all the Melbourne Gooners for their hospitality yesterday. It’s always great to hang out with fellow fans and yesterday was no exception. Thanks also to those who came along to the event at the Sports Writers Festival, and I hope you enjoyed the chat and Q&A.

Right, that’s as much as I have today. Back tomorrow, and hopefully we’ll have an Arsecast Extra with James.