News was that Alexis Sanchez would miss this game along with Oxlade Chamberlain. 2 players who have covered the flanks for most of the season. Gabriel was going to be part of the squad, but unlikely to start. This was an Aston Villa side who had the worst goal scoring record of all 92 teams in English football. Their loss in form in front of goal could be empathized with Benteke's loss in form. Benteke took the Premier League by storm scoring 19 goals in his 1st season and managing 10 in his second despite a long term injury. His return from injury was thought to be the ultimate boost needed for the fading Villains. However just 3 goals in 15 appearances is a very poor record and it can be seen where the problem is lying for Villa. Their midfield lacks creativity and hence their forwards are unable to fire any goals for them.
Arsenal continued with Ospina in goal, Bellerin returned at RB, Monreal shifted to LB. Per and Lolo continued at CB despite the signing of Gabriel. Coquelin who was so impressive against City returned at DM. Cazorla and Ramsey formed the double pivot ahead of Coquelin with Walcott and Ozil starting on the flanks. This was Walcott's first league start in 13 months. Giroud continued upfront. This was possibly the strongest team to put up, however it was harsh on Rosicky who after a man of the match performance against Brighton should have started.
With Chamberlain, Alexis and Welbeck injured, the pace in attack was heavily dependent on Walcott. He formed an electric partnership with Bellerin (probably the fastest right sided attack ever!). It took Walcott just 56 seconds to get involved as Ramsey put him through with a delightful pass and he was clean in on goal. However he delayed his shit by a second and Okore was back to block his shot. Arsenal took the lead with 7 minutes on the clock. First Coquelin seemed to have got into trouble when he almost lost the ball, only for Mertesacker to hoof it up front. Ozil delightfully flicked the fall with an exquisite touch that fell right into the path of Giroud. Giroud was through on goal but seemed to lose control over the ball with a bad touch. He still managed to chip it through over the keeper to score his 8th league goal of an injured and suspended wrecked campaign. Arsenal continued to threaten with Ramsey and Giroud having decent chances. Arsenal went close to doubling the lead when some beautiful footwork by Cazorla put him through on goal, but he ended up hitting the post. It all seemed easy until Villa got their first chance right at the end of the half. Ozil had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside after combining well with Cazorla. Carles Gil put a wonderful cross in that Weiman met and Ospina managed a good save. It showed the high concentration level of Ospina. Anyways at half time it finished as Arsenal 1- Aston Villa 0. Should have been more.
Aston Villa seemed rejuvenated with that late Weimann chance and started the 2nd half in a much brighter fashion. Benteke had 2 decent chances, first a snap shot that went past the post and second a header which did not trouble anyone. Arsenal doubled their lead after a poor mistake by Kieran Richardson ensured Walcott stole the ball, countered at blistering pace, passed it to Giroud who gave the ball to Ozil with a pass reminiscent of an Ozil pass (through three defenders). Ozil controlled and placed precisely into the bottom corner. His 2nd goal in his consecutive games. Soon after we tripled our lead. A Benteke header was caught by Ospina who released Walcott. Walcott passed to Cazorla who tried to find Giroud, but Walcott intercepted the pass and finished with a curling beauty. A goal redolent of an Henry goal. The elation in Walcott's face showed how much the goal meant to him. Next Giroud headed against the bar from a Cazorla freekick after Santi was fouled by Gil. Ramsey then put a delightful pass for Chuba Akpom, on as a substitute for Giroud, after receiving the ball Akpom went past Guzan who fouled him. Cazorla scored via a poor penalty, straight at Guzan but with so much power that Guzan couldn't save. Akpom had a few chances of his own and though he didn't score a goal, he certainly impressed. Arsenal completed the rout when Bellerin placed precisely into the bottom corner after a pass from Cazorla. It finished Arsenal 5- 0 Villa.
Highlights via @arsenalist is present in this link- http://arsenalist.com/f/2014-15/arsenal-vs-aston-villa/arsenal-vs-aston-villa-motd-highlights-incl-analysis.html.
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (8): 2 good saves and excellent concentration levels. 4th consecutive clean sheet as well.
39: Hector Bellerin (8.5): Showed excellent defensive skill as well as scoring a fantastic goal. Getting better each game.
4: Per Mertesacker (8): Was tidy and defence and showed some skill as a forward creating a chance for Akpom!
6: Laurent Koscielny (8): Solid in adding Benteke to the numerous people hiding in his pocket.
18: Nacho Monreal (8.5): Yet another outstanding performance by Nacho. Formwise no doubt the best LB in the league at the moment. Backs my claim of being better than Gibbs right now as well! Gibbo finding it very hard to displace him.
34: Francis Coquelin (8.5): 5 tackles and 5 interceptions. Been excellent again providing the platform for Cazorla to raise his game.
19: Santi Cazorla (9): 2 assists and a goal. Yet another outstanding performance by him. Poor penalty, but some fantastic dribbles. Silva, Mata who!?
16: Aaron Ramsey (7.5): Again worked tirelessly as always. Created 2 wonderful opportunities, firstly for Walcott and then for Akpom. Had a good attempt saved as well. But he seems to slow the team down at times, but nobody should ever doubt him. He can go on that indefinite scoring run. It's all about when he scores for the first time.
14: Theo Walcott (7.5): Showed great movement. Scored a beautiful goal. Still clearly visible that he is not yet in full form. When that happens, him and Alexis on the flanks. Hell.
11: Mesut Ozil (9): Splendid goal and probably the assist of the season. Yet again worked his socks off. So unusual to see that. But he is showing he is a willing worker now.
12: Olivier Giroud (8.5): Superb goal and assist. Improving every season as well!
SUBSTITUTES:
7: Tomas Rosicky (7.5): Made some runs and gave a few nice passes.
38: Chuba Akpom (7.5): Very impressive cameo. Won a penalty and had a few chances as well.
20: Mathieu Flamini (6.5): Put one fantastic pass for Bellerin. Probably will never repeat that in his career again.
Arsenal continued with Ospina in goal, Bellerin returned at RB, Monreal shifted to LB. Per and Lolo continued at CB despite the signing of Gabriel. Coquelin who was so impressive against City returned at DM. Cazorla and Ramsey formed the double pivot ahead of Coquelin with Walcott and Ozil starting on the flanks. This was Walcott's first league start in 13 months. Giroud continued upfront. This was possibly the strongest team to put up, however it was harsh on Rosicky who after a man of the match performance against Brighton should have started.
With Chamberlain, Alexis and Welbeck injured, the pace in attack was heavily dependent on Walcott. He formed an electric partnership with Bellerin (probably the fastest right sided attack ever!). It took Walcott just 56 seconds to get involved as Ramsey put him through with a delightful pass and he was clean in on goal. However he delayed his shit by a second and Okore was back to block his shot. Arsenal took the lead with 7 minutes on the clock. First Coquelin seemed to have got into trouble when he almost lost the ball, only for Mertesacker to hoof it up front. Ozil delightfully flicked the fall with an exquisite touch that fell right into the path of Giroud. Giroud was through on goal but seemed to lose control over the ball with a bad touch. He still managed to chip it through over the keeper to score his 8th league goal of an injured and suspended wrecked campaign. Arsenal continued to threaten with Ramsey and Giroud having decent chances. Arsenal went close to doubling the lead when some beautiful footwork by Cazorla put him through on goal, but he ended up hitting the post. It all seemed easy until Villa got their first chance right at the end of the half. Ozil had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside after combining well with Cazorla. Carles Gil put a wonderful cross in that Weiman met and Ospina managed a good save. It showed the high concentration level of Ospina. Anyways at half time it finished as Arsenal 1- Aston Villa 0. Should have been more.
Aston Villa seemed rejuvenated with that late Weimann chance and started the 2nd half in a much brighter fashion. Benteke had 2 decent chances, first a snap shot that went past the post and second a header which did not trouble anyone. Arsenal doubled their lead after a poor mistake by Kieran Richardson ensured Walcott stole the ball, countered at blistering pace, passed it to Giroud who gave the ball to Ozil with a pass reminiscent of an Ozil pass (through three defenders). Ozil controlled and placed precisely into the bottom corner. His 2nd goal in his consecutive games. Soon after we tripled our lead. A Benteke header was caught by Ospina who released Walcott. Walcott passed to Cazorla who tried to find Giroud, but Walcott intercepted the pass and finished with a curling beauty. A goal redolent of an Henry goal. The elation in Walcott's face showed how much the goal meant to him. Next Giroud headed against the bar from a Cazorla freekick after Santi was fouled by Gil. Ramsey then put a delightful pass for Chuba Akpom, on as a substitute for Giroud, after receiving the ball Akpom went past Guzan who fouled him. Cazorla scored via a poor penalty, straight at Guzan but with so much power that Guzan couldn't save. Akpom had a few chances of his own and though he didn't score a goal, he certainly impressed. Arsenal completed the rout when Bellerin placed precisely into the bottom corner after a pass from Cazorla. It finished Arsenal 5- 0 Villa.
Highlights via @arsenalist is present in this link- http://arsenalist.com/f/2014-15/arsenal-vs-aston-villa/arsenal-vs-aston-villa-motd-highlights-incl-analysis.html.
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (8): 2 good saves and excellent concentration levels. 4th consecutive clean sheet as well.
39: Hector Bellerin (8.5): Showed excellent defensive skill as well as scoring a fantastic goal. Getting better each game.
4: Per Mertesacker (8): Was tidy and defence and showed some skill as a forward creating a chance for Akpom!
6: Laurent Koscielny (8): Solid in adding Benteke to the numerous people hiding in his pocket.
18: Nacho Monreal (8.5): Yet another outstanding performance by Nacho. Formwise no doubt the best LB in the league at the moment. Backs my claim of being better than Gibbs right now as well! Gibbo finding it very hard to displace him.
34: Francis Coquelin (8.5): 5 tackles and 5 interceptions. Been excellent again providing the platform for Cazorla to raise his game.
19: Santi Cazorla (9): 2 assists and a goal. Yet another outstanding performance by him. Poor penalty, but some fantastic dribbles. Silva, Mata who!?
16: Aaron Ramsey (7.5): Again worked tirelessly as always. Created 2 wonderful opportunities, firstly for Walcott and then for Akpom. Had a good attempt saved as well. But he seems to slow the team down at times, but nobody should ever doubt him. He can go on that indefinite scoring run. It's all about when he scores for the first time.
14: Theo Walcott (7.5): Showed great movement. Scored a beautiful goal. Still clearly visible that he is not yet in full form. When that happens, him and Alexis on the flanks. Hell.
11: Mesut Ozil (9): Splendid goal and probably the assist of the season. Yet again worked his socks off. So unusual to see that. But he is showing he is a willing worker now.
12: Olivier Giroud (8.5): Superb goal and assist. Improving every season as well!
SUBSTITUTES:
7: Tomas Rosicky (7.5): Made some runs and gave a few nice passes.
38: Chuba Akpom (7.5): Very impressive cameo. Won a penalty and had a few chances as well.
20: Mathieu Flamini (6.5): Put one fantastic pass for Bellerin. Probably will never repeat that in his career again.