Arsenal record resounding win over Villa

It’s been a long time since Arsenal last won this convincing; in fact you’ll have to flash back to over two years ago to find a result that last saw us win in the League by over three goals. However, yesterday afternoon the Gunners ran out comfortable victors against a laboured Aston Villa side. Giroud, Ozil, Walcott, Cazorla, and Bellerin were all on the score-sheet as Arsenal won 5-0 at the Emirates. What made the result more impressive was the fact that Alexis Sanchez wasn’t playing at all. With players back now though we needn’t worry as Ozil put in a performance of the highest quality. Theo Walcott was starting his first League game in over a year, whilst new signing Gabriel Paulista made the bench.

Mesut Ozil was the star as Arsenal comfortably beat Villa

Following on from wins over City and Brighton in the Cup, it was important Arsenal didn’t switch off against an Aston Villa side that beat them here at the Emirates last season. For that reason we had to be wary, but as expected they didn’t really cause a challenge. After this game, Paul Lambert’s side haven’t scored in over ten hours of Premier League football. The Villains weren’t helped that they came up against the most clinical Arsenal side all season. Mesut Ozil was at the forefront of everything that came through Arsenal despite playing in his unfavoured left midfield role.

The German’s flick into Giroud was matched with a dink over the keeper from the striker who scored his fifth goal in six games. That goal was made from a central region and since returning from injury Ozil has been a revelation. Giroud turned provider for the second as he set Ozil free before burying the chance comfortably. 2 in 2 games now for a man who was slated hugely towards the back end of last season. Consequently, both of his goals and assists in the League this season have come against Aston Villa. Giroud’s performance was meanwhile heavily impressive too and he’s playing himself into some real form after being injured for the majority of the first half of the campaign.

Santi Cazorla also had a very good game again. He didn’t feature against Brighton in the Cup, but his performance against City was of course outstanding. He continued in the same manner at home to Villa yesterday. He supplied two goals, including Theo Walcott who now has 2 in 2 after scoring last week-end too. He rolled the ball into Walcott who took the ball past the defender before slotting home for his first Emirates goal since Cardiff on New Year’s Day in 2014. Cazorla has become known for scoring a lot of penalties recently and against Villa it was no different. The quality of the penalty wasn’t perhaps as good as we’ve been used to but nonetheless it resulted in a goal. He slammed the ball straight at Guzan but he could only palm it into the net.

The Spaniard also supplied Hector Bellerin’s first goal for the club. Mathieu Debuchy’s injury problems this season have perhaps been a blessing in disguise because it’s allowed Bellerin to rise to prominence. Since that game against Dortmund in which he made his first start, he’s improved so much. His defensive side of his game is getting better game by game and he offers a lot going forward too. That was typified with the goal he scored as he placed a lovely shot into the far corner in the final few minutes. The boy from Barcelona certainly looks a hot prospect for the future.

At the moment it’s hard not to notice Francis Coquelin’s performances. He’s been the exact anchor man we’ve been looking for, and its prompted suggestions that we don’t require an addition to the defensive midfield department. Of course Bielik was signed but he’s for the future. For the time being, Coquelin deserves to be an ever present thorn in the side.

Another player that deserves an ever present role is David Ospina. He hasn’t made a single mistake since replacing Szczesny, whose errors against Southampton at the beginning of the year has cost him his place. He’s been relatively untroubled in the games he’s played in so far but played an important role against Aston Villa. His distribution is top class, and it set the Gunners away for the third goal. He also made an unbelievable save to deny a consolation goal with the last kick of the game; flying to his right hand side to deny Kieran Westwood.

Chuba Akpom also deserves a mention. He looked a threat when he came on against Brighton last weekend and was again dangerous yesterday. He won the penalty and could’ve had a goal late on but was denied by Guzan. His contract is up at the end of the season and it’s important we renew it before he enters negotiations with other clubs because he looks a top talent.

Next up is a much tougher test; the North London derby at White Hart Lane lies ahead, and we’ve proved that without Sanchez we can still look very good in attack whether or not he’s back.

The team’s line-ups:

Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey(76), Cazorla, Walcott(70), Ozil, Giroud(70).

Subs: Szczesny, Gabriel, Chambers, Gibbs, Flamini(76), Rosicky(70), Akpom(70).

Aston Villa: Guzan, Hutton, Okore, Clark, Richardson, Sanchez(75), Cleverley(65), Delph, Gil, Weimann(65), Benteke.

Subs: Given, Baker, Cissokho, Westwood(75), Bacuna, Sinclair(65), Agbonlahor(65).

My man of the match: Mesut Ozil.

Referee: Anthony Taylor.

Attendance: 59,958.