Arsenal proved there was life after Alexis Sanchez after blitzing Crystal Palace.
They turned on the style by smashing four past Palace by half time as Nacho Monreal was the unlikely hero with the opening goal and two assists before being substituted after just 33 minutes.
It was exactly what Arsenal needed even if Palace were awful in defence, started slowly and keeper Wayne Hennessey and midfielder James McArthur both had nightmares.
Arsenal’s first came after five minutes when Granit Xhaka’s cross was forced in by Monreal after McArthur lost him in the penalty box.
Monreal’s cut back set up Alex Iwobi after ten minutes, then the Spanish left back lost McArthur to pull it back for Laurent Koscielny to score from close range.
Palace’s final gift came after 22 minutes when Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere combined brilliantly to set up Alexandre Lacazette who broke his nine game goal drought with a shot that Hennessey should have saved.
Palace got a late consolation as Luka Milivojevic fired home in the 78th minute as Petr Cech will have to wait a little longer for his 200th clean sheet.
1. Who needs Sanchez?
Arsenal fans cannot help themselves. Sanchez is off to Manchester United but a banner reading “Good Boys” in recognition of the Chile star’s beloved dogs Atom and Humber still hangs proudly inside the Emirates.
They haven’t taken down the banner yet but they proved against Palace that the team have moved on from Sanchez.
It was a performance full of defiance, determination and one which was designed to show there is life after Alexis.
In fact, if this is what happens after selling their best player, then maybe Arsenal should try flogging another.
It was a big response and one which was much needed to change the mood of doom and gloom.
2. You can play for half an hour - and be man of the match
Nacho Monreal scored Arsenal’s first and provided assists for Alex Iwobi and Laurent Koscielny. Not bad for a left back.
He got an injury on the half hour mark, hobbled on for a bit and then came off after 33 minutes.
But after that contribution, it’s surely impossible not to give him man of the match even though he only played for half an hour.
3. Wenger goes four-four-two
Wenger was never quite sure about the back three revolution, it almost felt as if he got bullied into it last season and has switched back to a back four in recent weeks.
Sure enough, Arsenal had a bad result at Bournemouth last Sunday and Wenger has gone back to a back four with more experienced personnel with Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi and Nacho Monreal playing his first game at left back for a while.
The balance between defence and attack is the thing that Wenger can’t quite get right.
4. No pleasing some
Arsenal were 4-0 up and yet still some fans were not happy. When Arsenal were intent on trying to walk the ball into the net, one supporter shouted: “Just shoot for f***’s sake.” It’s fair to say Arsenal fans are a tough crowd.
When you are in cruise control, surely you can enjoy yourself. Arsenal played some super stuff and are often guilty of overplaying.
But I think they can be forgiven this time. Unless, of course, you’re an Arsenal fan. No wonder Arsenal fans regularly make fools of themselves on social media and phone-ins.
5. Palace faults there for all to see
Roy Hodgson has done a great job at Selhurst Park, steered Palace away from danger and completely changed the mood.
The weird thing was that Palace were disorganised, a shambles at the back and if it was not James McArthur losing his man at set pieces then it was Wayne Hennessey letting Alexandre Lacazette’s shot go straight through him.
Palace are missing Scott Dann who is key to their defence and they desperately need reinforcements at the back.
It’s clear also that Hodgson is after a keeper and wants a new, more reliable No1. Palace’s revival will take them so far but long term improvement will need reinvestment.
Player ratings
Arsenal - Cech 7; Bellerín 7, Mustafi 7, Koscielny 7, Monreal 8 (Maitland-Niles, 33, 6); Wilshere 8, Elneny 7, Xhaka 7; Iwobi 7 (Kolasinac, 82), Ozil 8 (Nelson, 72, 6), Lacazette 7.
Crystal Palace - Hennessey 4; Fosu-Mensah 6, Kelly 5, Tomkins 5, van Aanholt 5; Milivojevic 6, McArthur 4, Cabaye 6; Zaha 6, Sako 6, Benteke 6.