Kevin Whitcher
Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League courtesy of a 2-1 win against Aston Villa that went some way towards making up for the opening day home defeat against Paul Lambert’s side. At that time, fans were in uproar at the lack of activity in the transfer market, and here we are a few months on with supporters becalmed, but wondering whether or not the opportunity to strengthen is going to be passed up. Olivier Giroud returned to the starting line-up after missing the last two matches, and if Arsenal are to prove successful without signing cover for him, he will have to remain fit and in form.
Arsenal’s record at Villa Park – against Villa at any rate – has been remarkable for many years. The last defeat was the game in late 1998 of the half-time parachuting Santa who hit a stand on his way down and delayed the start of the second half by 15 minutes. The visitors, 2-0 up and seemingly in control, lost 3-2 and ultimately missed out on the title by a point. I also recall a painful 1-1 in the spring of 2003 in which a young Kolo Toure trying to clear the ball put it into his own net to give Villa the equalizer. Another season where the Gunners just missed out on the title. So the omens for not winning this fixture were not good.
Aside from the return of Giroud, Serge Gnabry retained his place in the starting line-up, whilst Szczesny, Flamini and Ozil returned after not beginning the Spurs FA Cup game. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was on the bench after his injury in the August game v the same opposition and, even with Walcott out for the season, at least Arsenal have genuine strength in depth in the midfield and wide forward positions. Villa lined-up with three centre backs against Giroud, which seemed a bit odd, however, the injury to Nathan Baker saw them revert to a 4-4-2.
Villa approached the game with a defensive mindset, meaning the Gunners largely controlled the first half and the two goals that ultimately decided the game came in the space of about 60 seconds as firstly Jack Wilshere and then Giroud demonstrated their finishing quality. The first goal was the result of some fine build up play whilst the second saw Villa robbed of possession in their own half and an excellent ball from Wilshere to set up Giroud. Wilshere was named the man of the match and is certainly performing better this campaign. The goals in quick succession were a sign of killer instinct.
However, after the re-start there was less sign of this as the second half saw the visitors seemingly try to conserve energy by playing the game out without really going for the kill, comfortable with the two goal cushion. It was a policy that is fine as long as no encouragement is given to the opposition but the carelessness of Cazorla led to a Villa goal, and then it was a predictable case of the Alamo for the last fifteen minutes. It was a situation that should have been avoided, but the new defensive resolution came good, although with better Villa finishing, the points could have been shared. Telling was that Per Mertesacker immediately let the Spaniard know his thoughts after the goal had gone in.
Giroud had a decent match. He might have done better with a cross from Sagna very early on that he headed wide, but overall, he provided a good outlet to relieve pressure, ploughing a lone furrow and ensuring Villa’s defenders were kept busy. He gives the option of a long hoofed clearance to gain territory when spells like the final 15 minutes of this game have to be endured. Walcott would provide an alternative outlet, but he is gone for the campaign, so the less Arsenal create situations where they are camped in their own half the better.
So it was a case of job done by the evening’s end, and a return to the first place. There is no real margin for error at present. Arsenal simply have to keep on winning until they reach February and the games against Liverpool and Manchester United and see how they fare when the opposition becomes tougher again. However, the habit of consistently taking points where they are expected is a good one and hugely encouraging, with the defensive improvement and increased sense of commitment the main reason for the change.
This Arsenal are a tougher prospect than we have seen for a few seasons. They seem less brittle, which is surely down to the increased experience and change in personnel. Do they have what it takes to win a title? Or will the tougher matches prove their undoing? All they can do for now is keep winning, and look to strengthen their options in positions where they are light on numbers to maximize their chances.
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