Who was Arsenal’s man of the match?
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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He must be thinking “this Premier League thing is pretty easy.” Another easy day at the office for Ospina. Showed good reflexes to save that header early on and other than that wasn’t truly tested yet again. You can only deal with what is thrown at you though, and Ospina was up to every ball in the area, commanding his box well.
Solid from Nacho yet again, and he is actually keeping Gibbs out of the team at the moment. I like Nacho’s intelligence, he positions himself wonderfully, breaking up the play and starting the attack for Arsenal. He always had the pace, and looks to have gained some strength as well, as I noticed he is winning a lot more tackles. Gibbs will have some work to do get his place back apparently.
Another good day for Koscielny although Villa really had nothing going. Kept Benteke quite and mopped up every loose ball expertly. The commentator likened him to John Terry for his intercepting and positioning, and I would have to say that is spot on. I am prepared to say that Koscielny is currently England’s closest thing to John Terry. Fantastic from Koscielny and we will need more of the same from him next weekend when we face the Spuds.
Good showing from Per today also. It was his clearance that lead to the first goal and a couple of timely interceptions to keep Villa out. By couple I mean very few, as Villa really had nothing going. Per had a lot to do with that, and Benteke had a torrid time up top. The pacey Agbonlahor and Sinclair came on later and they too were kept under wraps. Much of Arsenal’s new found momentum has to do with defensive stability, so Mertesacker and Koscielny deserve much plaudits.
Fantastic all around from Hector. Ridiculously quick, and tenacious in the tackle, he got stuck in to plenty of challenges. He has mastered the slide tackle evidently, as he was all over the place winning tackles an breaking up the play. Not to mention his goal, which looked like that of a seasoned forward or winger. Brilliant side foot off the post leaving Guzan no chance at all. He should get a run in the side with Debuchy out injured.
Splendid from Francis yet again. I am quickly becoming a massive fan of his. Exceptional positioning and tackling and even more impressive is his calmness on the ball. He always looks so very comfortable, shielding the ball and finding a teammate quickly and sharply. I held my breathe when he found himself surrounded by three players on one instance, but Francis calmly and skillfully spun while rolling the ball underneath him and away from his defenders. Cool as you like.
Two stellar performances in a row and it looks like Mesut is beginning to quiet his critics (don’t worry, I won’t say I told you so). I said before that I couldn’t have asked for a better return to the side from Mesut, but he proved me wrong today and one upped his showing at Brighton. Absolutely audacious flick on for Giroud’s goal followed by a clever finish to score one of his own. Superb play from Mesut and he is beginning to look like the Ozil of old yet again. Now I’ll say it, I told you so.
Another masterclass from Santi, and another goal and assists. Six goals and five assists he has now and his purple patch is showing no signs of letting up any time soon. A bit lucky on his goal, but with the form he is in it is well deserved. Santi is proving he deserves his place no matter what and has a good shout for Arsenal’s most important player at the moment (I said he has a good shout, of course I haven’t forgotten about Sanchez).
Didn’t score or assist like his midfield partners, but contributed in his normal way with his engine and intangibles. Ramsey will always be crucial for Arsenal, as he bridges the gap between Coquelin’s defensive work and Ozil and Cazorla’s attacking genius. Not really much individual highlights for him today, but fair play as usual.
Brilliant yet again from Theo, and he doesn’t look like a man that missed a year of football. His pace and sharpness haven’t diminished even remotely, and his past few finishes suggests he means business. No Sanchez today, no problem for Arsenal, as Theo picked up the mantle effortlessly. I can’t wait to see what Arsenal will look like when the two of them are in the side.
Clever finish from Giroud and a good performance overall. He had been a bit hot and cold lately, but today was definitely the former. He hit the post from a header from Cazorla’s free kick as well, so he was unlucky not to have two to his name today. Brilliant assist also, and he looks to have a real understanding with Ozil (who of course assisted him). Villa were poor, but Giroud’s movement and passing would have opened up anyone on the day. Superb from Olivier.
Usually substitutes are exempt from ratings, as I feel it is unfair to judge someone who only had a small amount of time to make an impact. Unless of course you come on and make an instant impact and win a penalty for the side. In that case you get a favorable rating. Outstanding from Chuba, and he is player I, like many, have high hopes for. I have always liked him, and I’m glad he is getting a look in the first team. He looked lively all throughout today and I hope he signs that contract and continues to get chances to prove himself. He would have had a higher rating, but given the fact that Villa were already dead and buried, I didn’t get too carried away.