It was a blistering and mouth-opening first 20 minutes at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. With only 20 minutes played, Arsenal were 3-0 up against Manchester United and the game was almost effortlessly done and dusted. Manchester United had never conceded three goals in the first 20 minutes in the Premier League era and hadn't lost to Arsenal in the league since 2011, when Aaron Ramsey scored the winner, but this was a completely different Arsenal to that of 2011.
Walcott impressed on Sunday
Theo Walcott, despite not getting on the scoresheet, was extremely effective throughout the game. The striker's electric pace and incredible off ball movement was just too much to handle for United's defence, which lead to their demise. The understanding between Cazorla, Ozil, Alexis and Walcott really showed on the weekend, whilst the attacking threats of Depay, Rooney, Martial and Mata were nowhere to be found.
After Sunday's victory, many would have forgotten that the same Arsenal were embarassingly defeated 3-2 by Olympiacos in the Chmapions League. The Gunners came under heavy criticism going into the United game and Theo Walcott himself has revealed that the players took it upon theirselves to hold a meeting between them. The England international stated that "the players spoke to each other" and "wanted to do it for the fans." He continued by stating that "it was the Arsenal of old, everything seemed to click" and "it sends a message to the Premier League."
Walcott also made it clear that the win was dedicated to Arsene Wenger, who suffered the most criticism, and that Arsenal need to play with the same aggression and determiniation week in week out to win the league. The Englishman seems to have wrestled the starting centre forward role off Olivier Giroud with his influence as a number nine growing more and more by each game. His manager said "he has shown that he can fight, commit and protect the ball as well. Some aspects of his game as a centre forward are improving" after the match.
The Arsenal players will now be away with their respective international squads and will return next weekend for their 17:30 kick off game - Watford at Vicarage Road.