Commanding performance from Arsenal today, and the confidence is growing by the day. Arsenal were supreme in the first half, ripping Villa to shreds with every move and were unlucky to only lead 1-0. Giroud got the goal in less than 8 minutes, after an outrageous flick from Ozil. It was Mertesacker’s clearance that started the move, before Ozil’s outside of the foot flick found Giroud clear on goal. The big Frenchman started to overrun the ball initially, but managed to scoop the ball from underneath him to chip the oncoming Brad Guzan in the Villa goal.

In the opening periods of the second, Arsenal surrendered a bit more possession but to good avail. Villa enjoyed perhaps their best spell of pressure, but that played to Arsenal’s strength as a trademark counter attack doubled Arsenal’s advantage. A loose ball fell for Walcott, who picked out Giroud. The front man took a couple of touches before freeing up Ozil with a deft outside of the foot ball. Ozil made no mistake on his finish, placing his effort low into Guzan’s left hand corner. It was another counter a few minutes later for Arsenal’s third, when Ospina’s long throw found Walcott whose neat exchange with Cazorla freed him to have a curler on goal. He did just that with aplomb, opening his body and curling the ball beyond Guzan. Arsenal had the cushion they were looking for, or should I say cushions.

Arsenal weren’t done just yet though, and the introduction of young Chuba Akpom provided a real spark. The young speedster  looked lively, and beat Brad Guzan to the ball in the box to draw a penalty. Santi Cazorla was fortunate to convert the penalty, slamming his effort right at Guzan but the American couldn’t deal with the power and it cannoned off his hands and into the side net. Three goals in 18 minutes to quadruple the lead and put Villa to the sword. Arsenal would get yet another in the final moments, and it was another unlikely source. Hector Bellerin chipped in with his first Arsenal goal, with a well placed side foot into the side net. 5-0 Arsenal! On we march to White Hart Lane next weekend. Momentum is with us, and we cannot wait to get hold of Tottenham with the form we are in.

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