STAT ATTACK
Wednesday when Puel masterminded a second successive 1-0 win over Liverpool to reach the EFL Cup Final.
Suddenly, the anger threatening to derail Puel has turned into euphoria at the prospect of facing Manchester United in the season’s first domestic showpiece.
Make no mistake, Puel’s stock has enjoyed a big bounce. Even when 5-0 down last night, there was no murmur of discontent.
Somewhat ironically, given his recent cup joy, Puel, who played for Wenger at Monaco, chose a truly lightweight line-up.
Clearly, the idea the Saints might reach Wembley twice in one year – after not being there since 1979 – was rather far-fetched.
Only one of their heroic Anfield starters, Jack Stephens, kicked off this clash, although match-winning sub Shane Long was included. Arsenal settled into their groove quicker and Stephens’ block after four minutes denied Jeff Reine-Adelaide his first senior goal.
Ten minutes later, Wenger’s cup kings were in front. Lucas Perez teed up Welbeck, whose finish over teenage keeper Harry Lewis was hardly that of someone out for seven months.
It was a quite stunning right-foot chip, flying in off the underside of the bar.
And seven minutes Welbeck was on hand to double Arsenal’s advantage with an even classier effort. This time he controlled a high ball perfectly before squeezing a first-time shot inside the post. But after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg hit the side-netting with a free-kick, Arsenal broke at lightening pace to put the result beyond doubt. Welbeck was again key. Following a neat one-two with Perez, he crossed to the far post for Walcott to score against his old club.
And the England winger completed the rout by scoring twice more after the break – on both occasions tucking away Alexis Sanchez’s crosses.
Welbeck said: “I’ve had experience of coming back from injury before so you kind of know what to expect. But it was good to finally be back on the pitch.
“It’s been a horrible few months with the injury but to be back out there doing what I love and scoring goals, is great.”