Written by Mean Lean on Monday, 30 January 2012 11:14

What a crazy game at the Emirates Stadium yesterday. I cannot remember the last time we were losing 2-0 at half time and then turned it around. Although winning and then losing appears to stick out much more vividly in the mind.

Perhaps this team needs some pre match hypnosis, someone to convince the players that we are losing the game before we step onto the pitch so we can start with some real urgency.

Our patience sometimes is our undoing in my opinion and the Aston Villa defence coped pretty well during the first 45 minutes as we struggled to create enough goalscoring chances to make one stick.

We left two on one from the corner as we have done a few times this season, Richard Dunne is powerful in the air and we failed to stop him. With Villa being such a threat on the break, it seemed somewhat of a risk for Per Mertesacker to be acting as a center forward at the end of the first half. Villa's break was of top quality and much of the credit has to go to Agbonlahor his fizzing pass into Stephen Ireland was the pass that made that goal. Bent's eventual finish from a tight angle was superb. Darren Bent is a Gooner who has a habit of scoring goals against us.

Our response after the break was very good and we showed determination to get back into the game. Our tempo had increased and much of that was down to the midfield. Tomas Rosicky had another good game in the middle of the pitch but the work rate of Aaron Ramsey has been easily overlooked in my opinion. While his use of the ball has been inconsistent this season, either due to the timing of his pass or his occasional inaccuracy but he stepped onto the pitch in the second half with an attitude that I would like to see in more Arsenal players from the first whistle, 

Ramsey chased, tackled, pressured and showed for the ball all the time. He could and perhaps should have scored early in the second half but poked with his right foot instead of swinging with his left. It is amazing that his goal input isn't better this season given the amount of chances he accumulates over the course of a game.

It was Ramsey's forward run and Alex Song's pass that got us back into the game, Richard Dunne was too late on the nibble Ramsey in the box and for once we were given what we deserved, It almost feels like a time to cheer when we are awarded a penalty because it has been a rare sight these days.

Robin as cool as you like rolled it into the left corner, the spot where he had his first of the season saved at Old Trafford, this time Given went the wrong way and it was game on.

That goal was vital and changed the whole mindset of the players, you could see it immediately. They knew and the fans knew that the game was very much alive. Then it went a little crazy and it was a case of attack against defence.

Theo Walcott skipped down the byline and I still think the shot was a mistake, he could have found the cut back earlier but ran himself out of options, Given saved and the ball fell to the feet of former Tottenham full back Alan Hutton and he smashed the ball into Walcott and into the goal. Couldn't have happened to a nicer person I say.

Laurent Koscielny is fast becoming one of the best all around central defenders and it was his driving run into the penalty box that won us the game. Darren Bent took out Koscielny before taking the ball. I am looking forward to both Koscielny and Vermaelen playing together in the middle, both taking turns to surge forward and join attacks with Song covering their runs.

van Persie struck the penalty in the other corner to complete the turn around.

What I found almost as exciting as the turn around was our late substitutions. Bacary Sagna and Mikel Arteta standing side by side on the touchline. Two seasoned professionals who have a strong will to win. Two players who are vital to this team in both personality and consistency.

Before we played Manchester United I said that we would see the best of us after that game when we start getting our players back. Those two players should start on Wednesday. Kieran Gibbs is back in training today and whisper it but Abou Diaby should return back to training on Tuesday.

Arsene has a big decision to make in midfield with Arteta probably coming back into the side. Tomas Rosicky has been fantastic but I imagine that he will be the one to stand down. I would love to see he and Arteta have a run together in midfield, both players keep the ball very well and make those around them play better but the youthful energy of Aaron Ramsey was very important to our second half comeback yesterday.

Hopefully the team can build on this result and go from strength to strength with our returning players.

Man of the match: Tomas Rosicky

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Comments (26)

• 30-Jan-2012 11:50 | | BJ  - What does the title mean?
  

  

• 30-Jan-2012 12:12 | | Feeno
  

  Alex Mcleish aka Goldmember, can do one

• 30-Jan-2012 12:14 | | OneOfUs
  

  HI ML, great writeup. Agree about Ramsey - he's perhaps the hardest worker among our midfielders and forwards from what I can see. The basic technique's there as well, but I wish he could look up (and around) a little more often - it's his awareness that lets him down occasionally.
  
  I think that will come though. For all the criticism he's steadily improving and will be blinding when everything falls into place - great mix of class and work ethic. Reckon he's already surpassing his early 2010 form. Got a hard time for his miss against ManU, but he pretty much made the chance with a lovely first, or second touch - I can't remember. When he starts to calm down in front of goal, he could be getting around 10 a season.
  
  If we've missed Arteta's nous and finesse, I'm pretty sure we'd notice the absence of graft if Ramsey were to spend some time on the sidelines.

• 30-Jan-2012 12:14 | | MeanLean
  

  I cannot stand that man. I detested him before yesterday and that has just increased

• 30-Jan-2012 12:22 | | MeanLean
  

  Cheers OOU, and agree with all of the above. Ramsey has everything that you need in a quality midfielder, he just needs to put it all together consistently.
  
  I would love to see a stat of how many chances he has had this season and the amount of times he finds himself in the penalty area. Like many youngsters before him, it will click and he will score for fun.
  
  What do you think about Rosicky and his contribution?
  
  I can only guess that the reason why he isn't a regular starter more often is because of a physical issue, whether that be his stamina or injury.
  
  I just think that his quality really helps this team, I really like him in the Arteta role, I thought it suited him this pre season but obviously you cannot take out Arteta. Shame we cannot have an extra spot in the team.

• 30-Jan-2012 12:35 | | OneOfUs
  

  I don't know - caught in two minds about Rosicky. I think he's a great player, but there are doubts about him playing more than a game a week, which kind of makes him a stand in, even though he's probably the most naturally talented of the lot.
  
  I like how we're using him at the moment - he seems more valuable when we have a fit midfield, as a seamless replacement for Arteta or Ramsey, than as someone you'd want to be relying on every few days.
  
  Either way, it's great to know he's there and ready to fill in.

• 30-Jan-2012 12:37 | | Amoz
  

  I luv Rosicky and Arteta

• 30-Jan-2012 12:47 | | Spud Masher  - come back
  

  great write up but where will either play when JW is fully fit and back in team?

• 30-Jan-2012 13:13 | | Anonymous
  

  Rosisky is even better than arteta. Ezekiel

• 30-Jan-2012 14:21 | | Usman
  

  The introduction of Arteta actually slowed our game and allowed Aston Villa to come at us.on his day Rosicky is better than Arteta.

• 30-Jan-2012 14:37 | | Naz  - Don't forget the BFG
  

  You overlooked the contributions of our BFG, Mertersacker altogether. The Man Utd game was probably his best in an Arsenal shirt, and the two sucker punch goals aside, the BFG was a beast in defence, winning almost all aerial challenges and made a few key interceptions. What he lacks in pace, he makes up with positioning and experience, heavily evidenced by the past 2-3 games.
  
  I actually have no qualms about who plays at centre half, but the sooner we get our fullbacks back, the better!

• 30-Jan-2012 14:37 | | meaner  - Ramilson
  

  I don't think Ramilson played well. Even if he did, it is once in every 10 games. Ramilson go pls, go n join Denilson on loan.

• 30-Jan-2012 15:49 | | Feeno
  

  Ramilson, ooh you are so clever

• 30-Jan-2012 16:13 | | otunba sango ota  - @Ramsey
  

  don't forget what he did to us in the carling that made us all cried like a baby, he ramsey is aloser of the ball anytime anyday. GO ramsey arsenal
  fans are tired of you and duabi..

• 30-Jan-2012 16:23 | | Vuja De
  

  There are two things in particular that I love about Rosicky:
  
  (a) the way he passes - and sometimes crosses - the ball with the outside of his right foot - nobody in the game today does that better than him. It demonstrates the superior quality of his technique.
  
  (b) the nature & quality of his tackles - Scoles should take copious notes on how Rosicky does it. This also demonstrates the quality of his technique too, as good tackling is an art. Two footed tackles/lunges are not in Rosicky's repertoire.

• 31-Jan-2012 02:58 | | Man United Killa  - pathetic
  

  We narrowly win one game against a mediocre Villa side and the praises begin to flow.Consistency is the key.I am pleased with what I saw in the second half but why did we have to ride our luck win against a distinctive average Villa team.
  What does this matter when we collapse against the next decent team-like we almost always do.

• 31-Jan-2012 02:59 | | Man United Killa
  

  I agree.Ramsey will never cut it.Make no mistake.All he will be is a decent player.Nothing more than that.He will never be Jack Wilshere.How many chances does he have to miss before he finds the back of the net.But I have to say some of his passes are sumptuous.

• 31-Jan-2012 08:17 | | Colesy
  

  I agree MUK. Lets get a sense of perspective over Sunday's win. We won with 2 penalties and a flukey deflection. Remembering that the two penalties were solely down to rubbish defending on Villa's part (not trickery by any of our players- they were chopped down). It was more a case of Villa throwing the match away rather than us winning it.
  
  2-0 down against a stronger team would not have resulted in the same outcome.

• 31-Jan-2012 08:34 | | MeanLean
  

  If you think an Arsenal victory is pathetic then I have a great idea for you.
  
  If results are the only thing that interest you then stop watching, blogging and talking about Arsenal until the end of the season and then you can check the results.
  
  If those results are not up to your standard then you haven't wasted any time but if Arsenal have won something (like we did every season before Wenger of course) then you can get your party hat on and celebrate.
  
  Win win situation I reckon. Me? Personally I tend to try and enjoy every victory regardless of the opposition and ride with the defeats.
  
  We all enjoy football differently but personally speaking, your way is awful.

• 31-Jan-2012 11:03 | | pika
  

  yes this ramsey ...so useless...22 years old...captain of his national team...first team regular for arsenal.....a player who 18 months ago didnt know if he was going to play football again...damn you aaron.
  
  lol u people are pathetic....

• 31-Jan-2012 11:06 | | pika
  

  "lets get a sense of perpective" ahahahahah you wouldnt know pwhat that is even if it slapped you in the face ...ahahah
  
  
  do u put lemon or salt in your morning tea you moronic little englader ?
  
  
  

• 31-Jan-2012 11:14 | | pika
  

  well he;s hardly gonna stop acting like a pest when you allow him entry and the platform to infest your site with his cr@p.....
  
  you are too kind mean ..

• 31-Jan-2012 13:02 | | Colesy
  

  Ml I'll accept your challenge if you'll do the same. Nah, thought you wouldn't.
  
  Why should I shut up and go away and let brainless AKB's rule the internet?
  
  No reason whatsoever. Twats like Pika (sorry Golum) and PG and Rich are eager to fill your site with rubbish and talk of Wenger being the greatest. I and others are here to correct their misplaced thinking. He was the greatest, he is no longer.
  
  I will happily though revisit this conversation and the whole concept that Wenger is the right man still to manage our club in May. By which time we will have no trophy and possibly not qualified for the CL and almost certainly 20+ points behind the eventual winners of the EPL.
  
  Like Wenger's said for the past two seasons - let's judge him in May!

• 31-Jan-2012 13:25 | | pika
  

  so what are you saying then? that we should allow wenger hating little englanders like you to disrespect the clubs greatest manager ?
  
  
  lol youre thicker than i thought spud troll......
  
  take your rubbish elsewhere

• 31-Jan-2012 13:30 | | pika
  

  now repeat after me colesy ...wenger is the god , wenger is the master of the cosmos , wenger gave us civilisation, wenger gave us intelligence, wenger gave us style, wenger gave us trophies, wenger gave us records.
  
  wenger is arsenal fc read it and weep you crying little englader ...you peasant with your kick and rush ...go support mcleish and allerdyce ...arsenal and wenger are not for neanderthals like you ...
  
  

• 02-Feb-2012 09:24 | | Spectrum
  

  Colesy - But that's just it, mate - the A.K.B.'s never say WHICH May ! That way they always have a "get out " clause to use. We're still waiting for the rosy future they really believe Wenger can still deliver.
  
  There's one born every minute..........
  
  " ****************** "

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