Kevin Whitcher
Arsenal’s previous league outing had been the triumphant and disciplined performance at Manchester City. The defence and midfield from that game were retained, although two changes in the front three were down to injuries, or injury fears to Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez. The degree of focus required at the Etihad was not called for against a struggling and unimaginative Villa side. Arsenal could and perhaps should have been three up by half time. As it was, a Giroud goal after an immaculate flick from Ozil, which the Frenchman almost managed to rob himself of, was the only one converted in the first 45 minutes, and David Ospina had to pull off an excellent save from a header not long before the interval.
In the very early stages of the second half, Arsenal allowed Villa to continue the spell that gave them some hope. In certain respects, there were similarities between this game and the notorious season opener against Villa in August 2013. Giroud opened the scoring, Anthony Taylor reffed, and Arsenal gave their opponents an opportunity to get back in the game. However, this time around, a very different outcome. Having shown the visitors a chink of light, the door was firmly closed and the Gunners went on to run riot. The goals from Ozil and Walcott were things of beauty, the penalty by Cazorla went in due to its sheer power rather than accuracy, whilst the very tidy injury time strike from Hector Bellerin capped a very fine performance.
There were standout displays all over the field, with Coquelin knitting everything together on his return to the side. Ospina looked comfortable when called upon and seems to be a calming influence on the defence. It was an assured 90 minutes from Arsenal. They have kept a clean sheet in the last four matches that Ospina has started in goal, so good habits are being developed. On another note, what we saw from Chuba Akpom indicates he would be a better bet than Yaya Sanogo to contribute in the long term, although I was told his contract is up this summer, so if he was in the plans for the future, one imagines he would have been signed up by now. I suspect he will disappear once again once Danny Welbeck returns. Might he have appeared briefly in the last two matches with a view to a late deal in this transfer window to recoup something? We’ll know by midnight.
Next weekend will be interesting in terms of the team selection. Surely Sanchez will return if fit, but at whose expense? In terms of defensive contribution, Oxlade-Chamberlain is a better bet than either of Ozil or Walcott, although one imagines Arsene Wenger will favour one of those two, and there are doubts over whether the Ox will even be fit by next Saturday. There is an argument that in the heat of a local derby, perhaps it might not be the wisest move to start Ozil, who even in the lack of intensity that was the match yesterday, ducked more than one challenge. He simply doesn’t want to know about the physical side of the Premier League. If a focused and committed performance is required – and it generally is at the Lane when Arsenal visit if they are to get anything – then Ozil must return to the bench. Either that or the team carry him because of his creative contribution. Is it a luxury they can afford? Better to save him for games like the one against Villa?
So a decent run of form in January for Arsenal, after the New Year’s day defeat at St Mary’s. They used to do this under George Graham, and indeed Arsene Wenger. Pick up after the turn of the year and go on a decent run. Five wins on the trot, two of those in the FA Cup. Arsenal are not going to strengthen further in this window, one imagines because Coquelin has proved such a revelation. It can only be hoped he manages to avoid injury himself if the good form is to continue. So all in all, a very satisfactory and entertaining display. As for Villa, the future really doesn’t look very bright. The club are saying there are no plans to replace Paul Lambert mid-season, but it is difficult to see the current situation changing with him at the helm. A breath of fresh air is needed at Villa Park or they are risking the drop. Anyway, that’s another club’s problem. For the Gunners, it’s a case of next up, Tottenham.
Just a quick note to mention that we are recording the February Gooner podcast tomorrow at the home of our new sponsors Piebury Corner.
Our panelists will be Mike Francis, Tim Stillman and Mustafa Goldstein. If you have any topics or questions you wish the panel to debate, and get a namecheck in the process, please either…
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The new issue of The Gooner can be bought online here. It will also be on sale at the home games v Leicester & Middlesbrough.
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Further Reading
A sequel to Arsènal – The Making of a Modern Superclub and entitled Arsène and Arsenal The Quest to Rediscover Past Glories has been written by myself and co-author Alex Fynn. It takes up the story of the club from the last update of the previous book, and can be bought online here. Use the promo code ‘Gooner’ to get 10% off the publisher’s price of £8.99.
