Written by Mean Lean on Sunday, 28 November 2010 15:34

Only Arsenal can make a game of football look so different at so many different stages of the game. But before talking about how we made the opposition look let us remember that it was Aston Villa who dominated Manchester United only a short few weeks ago and were in total control, two goals to the good with only 10 minutes remaining on the clock before they caved in. They also held Chelsea to a scoreless draw back in October and really should have come away with the three points but for wasted opportunities.

I felt a sense of confidence before the kick off after having a look at our line up. Even without Cesc Fabregas it consisted of Rosicky, Nasri, Wilshere and Arshavin. Our engine often runs smoothly when Rosicky and Nasri are playing together. I was a little surprised that Van Persie was left on the bench after missing from the squad in Portugal but it gave the rest of the team a nice balance with Chamakh leading the line.

Arsene made a number of changes from the Braga defeated side on Tuesday and I am often worried about the fluency of our game when many players are rotated at the same time, well if someone wanted to argue against that then this was the perfect opportunity. We flew out of the blocks from the very first whistle and imposed our game from the off. Chamakh had scored the fastest goal of the Premier League season 2010 at Wolves and could have surpassed that in the opening seconds of the game. Arshavin drifting in from the left into a more central position, slipped a ball in between the Aston Villa defence for Chamakh who was closing down on Brad Friedel, Arshavin's pass was slightly over hit allowing Friedel to get close enough to block Chamakh's poke from close range and James Collins cleared away to safety.

So many of Messi's goals have been little dinks over the advancing keeper and it would have been the only way to have beaten Friedel from that position.

Villa were under the Arsenal spell and we were completely dominant in the early stages. I cannot remember a time, Braga aside, where we were as in control of a game this season as we were in the first half at Villa.

A minute later Tomas Rosicky was slipped in by Jack Wilshere and our magical Czech dragged his shot wide of the far post. He had a great chance a little later in the half when Chamakh flicked the ball on to him but he couldn't apply enough power to his effort and Friedel easily saved. We were creating chances for fun but we couldn't find the opener.

Chamakh dragged a left footed shot wide, Nasri fired wide also on his weaker side and Arshavin had a shot blocked. For all our complete dominance the scores were still level until five minutes before the break. Fabianski's long ball down field was cocked up by Young and Collins going for the same ball, Arshavin collected the loose ball on the left, drove into the penalty area, stepped inside his man and drove a shot through the crowd past the diving American.

Andrey Arshavin had played his best game since we won at Partizan Belgrade, we were witnessing the player we broke our transfer record for. He was heavily involved in our build up, he was running at Villa players and popping up in dangerous central positions. He was vocal also, pointing and organising his team mates which was nice to see. Not only this but he contributed massively to our defending by pressing whenever we were not in possession and won many tackles. In fact he won 15 out of 18 tackles which is quite remarkable given his previous. It is even more remarkable when someone like Nasri only won 3 of 9 tackles and Rosicky won 5 of 7. Arshavin won more tackles than Nasri and Rosicky combined. Are we seeing Arshavin's twin brother here? Or has Arshavin benefited from the absence of Cesc Fabregas?

Indeed it is far too early to make that assumption but what I noticed during the game was the ease of which the three interchanged. All three players want to play in Cesc's advanced central position and all three can play in either wide spot. When Arshavin came inside, Rosicky switched out wide the same applied with Nasri who started on the right.

A few minutes later Arshavin threaded through a delightful through pass to Nasri who was making the 'Theo run' from right to center. He skipped past Friedel but couldn't get enough direction on his left foot shot and instead of landing into the empty net, his shot brushed against the side netting.

By this point, I am in amazement, we are utterly dominating the game and could have been 5-6 goals to the good before half time, instead we are narrowly ahead on the scoreboard.

We soon managed to double our advantage when Arshavin swung a corner out to the edge of the penalty area to the swinging right boot of Samir Nasri to volley in via a slight deflection for 2-0 on the stroke of half time.

Robert Pires was replaced at half time and you have to feel sorry for him. A player of his quality needs the ball, needs runners but instead he looked lost and way behind the pace. He would have enjoyed sitting in that Arsenal midfield during the first 45 minutes.

Aston Villa started the second half with more desire and a lot more purpose and they put us under pressure. The Arsenal players still had last weekend's result on their minds and looked somewhat edgy.

The Aston Villa goal was absolutely ridiculous. John Carew was standing clearly in an offside position and was standing right in front of Lukasz Fabianski. In every way possible, John Carew was offside. I would love to have heard the explanation from the referee and his assistants. Gael Clichy should have gone out to block the shot, but instead was more interested in what Ashley Young was doing behind him, he backed off giving the time and space for Clark to volley past the obstructed Fabianski. It is difficult to know who misjudged the situation more. Clichy? or the assistants?

2-1, which should really be 5-0. How on earth did we get into this position I thought to myself and obviously the Tottenham game was still fresh in the memory.

Credit to the team for switching up a gear and getting our noses back in front again. The fantastic Tomas Rosicky (I love that guy) increased his accelerator bursting pass a Villa player and threaded a pass through to Chamakh who poked under Friedel.

Marouane Chamakh was back to his best after a tough few weeks. His energy levels looked to have dropped in the last few games and his touch had deserted him, but he made a telling contribution from the bench on Tuesday and looked very good yesterday. He held the ball up very well, battled against both Collins and Dunne and took his goal like a true striker. That is ten goals in all competitions for Arsenal so far, not a bad return for a player getting used to English football.

Ciaran Clark who had earlier missed from close range seemed to have a taste for goals, He scored his second of the game following a flicked header from Richard Dunne from a corner kick. Clichy and Nasri on the line could not prevent it from crossing the line. 3-2.

Gael Clichy who had a superb first half was having a difficult time up against Ashley Young in the second. Young gave a Clichy lacking games a very tough time last season at Villa Park, and was up to it again forcing Arsene to switch Arshavin into a permanent central position and Rosicky on the left to track back and help Clichy.

Gibbs and Denilson were sent on late to strengthen up the team but instead of sitting back, we broke late on and Chamakh's lofted cross was put in via a diving header by Jack Wilshere at the back post.

Conclusion

A massively important three points for the Gunners put us top of the pile for a few hours. Some of our football was majestic, some of the best football we have played at times during that first half without applying the finishing touches.

I thought several players had good games. Laurent Koscielny was quality at the back, made several very good tackles and blocks when called upon. Gael Clichy was superb in the first half but made an error of judgement for the goal.

I was most impressed with the midfield and attacking players. Rosicky, Nasri and Arshavin were superb whilst Wilshere and Song controlled the tempo of the game.

Whilst I would have loved to have kept a clean sheet, I am much more frustrated about the amount of chances we squander. Without Walcott and Van Persie do we lack a killer instinct throughout the team?

If we can increase of our current conversion rate then our recent goals concede wouldn't count one bit.

Our middle third is currently fantastic, without doubt the best in the league by a country mile. The two ends of the pitch needs improvement, if a fraction of improvement happens at both ends then we can run away with this league, that I have no doubt. If we do not improve then we will continue to beat ourselves at times.

At the same time, we have scored four goals away at Villa yet feel hard done by, which tells you how much offensive quality this squad has.

In the short term, the three points are very much welcomed. Robin, Nic and Theo get a chance to sharpen up their boots on Tuesday in the Carling Cup clash against Wigan.

Fabianski (7)
Sagna (7)
Koscielny (7.5)
Squallaci (7)
Clichy (7)
Song (7)
Wilshere (7.5)
Rosicky (7.5)
Nasri (7.5)
Chamakh (8)
Arshavin (8)

Please note that ratings are only my interpretations of the game and that others will have differing opinions

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Comments (12)

• 28-Nov-2010 16:29 | | silentstan  - villa
  

  got a thing for 'theo' by any chance. the 'theo run' --laughable. without walcott lack killer instinct- hysterical

• 28-Nov-2010 16:31 | | kelly
  

  wenger should now concede that he gave newcastle a walkover by playing an injured, off the pace fabregas

• 28-Nov-2010 16:41 | | kelly
  

  heard of this new rule:tackling bale is punishable by yellow card .just look at the meireles tackle clean and clear. save us this crap. even torres who bale can't even lace his shoes is tackled. don't dismiss me as a spurs hater I LIVE MILES AWAY FROM ENGLAND.

• 28-Nov-2010 17:00 | | dkgooner  - Come on 'Pool
  

  0-1 at half-time. 0-2 will put them above Spuds.

• 28-Nov-2010 19:19 | | richie  - strongly disagree ML
  

  We can't continue to play Kamikazi style. Not if we intend to win something! Anything?
  
  I'm happy we scored 4 but I'm not happy we conceeded 2 especially not in the maner we conceeded. Yes Villa did well against other teams but that wasn't the Villa we faced. They have been decimated by injuries, we faced a very ordinary Villa.
  
  From having only one striker in attack (Which we handled) Villa switched to 442 just like the Spuds did, and suddenly our defenders went AWOL- Just as with the Spuds it was obvious Villa would come at us, what did they have to lose? When they did our defense couldn't handle things.
  
  Its no use saying as long as our attack continues firing we'll win because we won't!!!! The weakness needs addressing! Burying our heads in the sand isn't the answer. I back our team and I'm not one criticise our own, but the problem isn't being addressed, the team isn't learning from our mistakes. At times it was school-boy-ish.
  
  Knowing that AW made bids for Cahill, Jags & Mertasaker (I'm lead to believe) in the last transfer window he did his best to address the problem but was rebuffed on all fronts. Knowing also that he asked about Reina, before concentrating unsuccesfully on Schwarzer. It seems he knew exactly what we needed before settling on what was available.
  
  Now either the individuals learn to apply their trade as they should, we learn to defend as a team or else this is as high in the table we'll ever get. I like Kosh, I like Squilla, but we need to step up. Which either means more signing in Jan or improvements.
  
  Scoring more than we conceed isn't the answer!

• 28-Nov-2010 19:42 | | richie  - Ballance
  

  I want us to do well I want us to learn from our mistakes, I want improvements. As good as Arshavin Nasri & Chamakh were and they were! So Clichy Sagna and Squallaci were pretty bad, compared to recent outings Koscielny did o.k.

• 28-Nov-2010 23:21 | | MeanLean
  

  Hey richie,
  
  I totally understand that our defence needs improving but I do not think it is as bad as many are making out.
  
  To put things into perspective Manchester United are top of the league and they have let in one less goal than we have.
  In all comps (22 games) we have let in more than two goals only twice (West Brom and Spuds)
  
  I think we have looked weak defensively mainly when we haven't played well as a team.
  
  Many games I have watched players like Kos and Squillaci head countless balls out and make countless tackles only for one mistake to cost us a goal. I would love to see our mistakes / goals against ratio, bet its bloody high.
  
  We can certainly improve this area, Chelsea have only let in 10 goals so far but we are in line with the other big sides.
  
  Our defence is very much linked to how we play as a team. We are designed to play football and press high up the pitch, when we play well we keep the ball, when we win the ball high up the pitch our defence has less to do.
  
  It is mainly stupid errors that has cost us at vital times. Cut those out and I think we will be fine. I do miss Tommy V though and Arsene has hinted that he will be looking towards the transfer window if his situation hasn't improved.
  
  So we shall see.

• 28-Nov-2010 23:22 | | MeanLean
  

  If Torres took that chance when clean through, it could have been so different.

• 29-Nov-2010 05:37 | | Ivan - Singapore
  

  i just want to say we should go back to basics... Rule no.1 never play a unfit player no matter who he is ? look at the injuries to Cesc, he has been over played and his body language simply doest look good we are pratically palying 10 vs 11 when he is on the pitch..... give the lad some time off and also to forget about Barce man..... if he wants to go just flog him for 50M and go get other better players.... No oen is bigger than the team.. its teh same as PV4 and TH14...!!! Im sure Rocky7 and nazir8 has been doing a farely good job and ... we can rebuilt fromn ther back like tje old days with Adams n Keown...... none teh less good results after a long while

• 29-Nov-2010 17:34 | | SAPMAN
  

  It is mainly stupid errors that has cost us at vital times.
  
  he is right richie...arsenal has bad karma....were in the 8 of europe..hleb makes unneccesary foul in our corner...bang! alex sends einhoven through.
  
  arshavin is denied penalty in old trafford..then smashes it in..and before we even celebrate almunia conedes penalty..
  
  walcott eh same with liverpool three years ago and babel penalty..
  
  two weeks ago....tnhm make one contra-attack..goal...lol..then a set piece ..and ..penalty...lol..and the third another set piece...
  
  we play manure and we are going at them and in minute 7 18 y.o gibbs slipps and makes ju sin park a hero/legend.
  
  walcott turns the game at bham after eduardo sick injury with his brace...ref sees non existant penalty in clichy ..bye bye 3 points ...bye bye season...
  
  last year we played fabregas to his limits he broke his foot with barca stayed on ..scored a penalty ..has been injured ever since ...went to wolrd cup..played till end july almost...came here..has never gainned full fitness in more than 7 months really and we complain cause he cant dictate premierleague games that go at 100km per hour and with brutal barbaric force sometimes...
  
  so many inceidents were arsenal is punished the amximum for a minimum of errors....we are unlucky...someone up there has pi55ed on us...dein has left a curse at the club ...call it anyway you want..but it is highly unexplainable how arsenal lost to totnhm and braga..and it wasnt wenger;s fault.....a manager who is about to have a triple by pass in fornt of you does not indicate to me he was complacent ....he wanted to beat everysingle one of those players 4sure...just like we did...cause it was THEIR fault ...they effed it up big time....and they have to repoay us for that ...and wenger is the kind of manager who will make sure they make it up to the fans ....
  
  our defence...is new...needs time...but the problme is not just the defence..the problem is that the TEAM does not defend like a TEAM ....rosicky was standing liek a statue allowingn villa player to control and shoot ( their first goal)..besides carew being offside and that it shouldnt stand ..rosicky is just looking....playig defence with his eyes ..like a referee...unacceptable..yet they praise him for an assist ...and they forget how many wrong passes lead to a villa contra n 2nd half...
  
  everybody must defend and our striklers also..like tevez...pressing high up ...
  
  we have the best manager in the world...look at everything around you with the arsenal name on it...he built it guys...its his work that has made arsenal as huge as they are today ...dont forget thta...so what if it takes him a bit longer to get it right..he has arsenal in his best of interests ..he knows ...and he is seriously UNCLUCKY...his best player..the words best finnisher couldnt give his mentor the champions league missing three one on ones in paris....

• 29-Nov-2010 21:27 | | richie  - investigations are the order of the day
  

  ML if you can bear it? Watch the defenders against the Spuds 2nd half.
  then watch our defending against Villa its the same silly mistakes.
  Sapman says we are cursed and its little mistakes that are costing us big time! Which is undoubtably true, but those silly mistakes are being made again and again.
  
  I'm not saying our defense is totally crap. I'm saying it needs sorting because we (As Arsenal) can't afford school boy defending and thats whats going on. I agree not all the time, everytime but way too often.
  Its no good thinking when we are great we are great. When we are not we are not. Either we start defending properly or all the promise we show in attack all the flair all the greatness, will be for nothing.

• 30-Nov-2010 13:09 | | richie  - Final word to Arsene
  

  Found this on Routers following Spuds;
  
  Arsene Wenger accepts he must find a solution to the "big concern" of his young Arsenal side throwing away another chance to put themselves in the driving seat for the Barclays Premier league title.
  
  "We missed an opprtunity to make a difference with the teams behind us. It is a big concern a main concern".
  
  "They (the team) have the mentality, they want to win. But we have to analyse everything first before I come out"
  
  "I believe some players could not maintain the pace of the game because they played Sunday, Wednesday and the Saturday. Its too much"
  
  "But we were 2-0 up and it was all in our hands"
  
  "It is a strange coincidence of facts that happened which are very difficult to explain, even when you are in the job as long as I am"

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