Arsenal fans were relived
to have gotten the win in the end because Aston Villa was good for at least one
point on the night. Unfortunately, Cazorla—who had an excellent game—had other
ideas as he stormed into the box and slotted beyond Brad Guzan to steal all
three points. Wilshere rightly said after the match that it was a massive win
and a “massive relief” to get three points. Paul Lambert stated that Villa
didn’t deserve to lose and thinks that his side will stay in the league if they
continue to play like they did—more on that later though.
How the teams lined up
After recent disappointments
in cup competitions, Arsene Wenger decided that he needed his team to be on the
ball more, and hence dropped Podolski to the bench and placed Cazorla on the
left as a playmaking wide midfielder. Arteta and Diaby sat deep while Wilshere
and Cazorla interchanged fluently behind Giroud. Arsenal was set up to control
possession and create chances (which they did with 64% possession and taking 26
goal attempts) knowing Villa would sit deep. Diaby provided the link between
midfield and attack while Cazorla and Wilshere combined well behind the Villa
defence to create chances.
Villa played 4-4-1-1 with
N’Zogbia providing a counterattacking outlet—largely ineffective—behind
Benteke, and Agbonlahor and Weimann on the wings. The fullbacks remained
cautious for the most part and Villa was always looking to play long diagonal
balls to their wingers who were really threatening going forward. This was a
team set up to sit deep and hit on the counter, which they did for the second
goal of the match.
How play shaped up
Villa sat deep from the
start with two holding midfielders, Westwood and Delph, while Arsenal pressed
fairly high, looking to win the ball and bring Cazorla and Wilshere into the
game. This strategy of the teams hardly changed throughout the match, even
after Villa equalized.
For Villa, Agbonlahor and
Weimann were a constant menace down the flanks. Arsenal’s fullbacks Jenkinson
and Monreal play generally high up the pitch—they are the only ones that
provide any natural width in this Arsenal formation—and hence left huge spaces
behind them for the Villa wide men to exploit. Weimann hugged the touchline and
looked to cross for Benteke or onrushing midfielders; Agbonlahor played inside
a bit too. There was one particular chance when he rushed onto an accurate
cross by Weimann brushing aside Mertesacker that made the big German look
pretty silly. The Austrian created 5 chances during the match.
Arsenal looked to dictate
play throughout, with Diaby linking midfield and attack. Cazorla constantly
drifted in from the left and looked to make passing patterns with Wilshere and
Giroud, who dropped deep. The Frenchman linked up play well and played some
sweet one-twos but was largely disappointing in front of goal. He had a
wonderful chance off a corner; he crashed the open header off the crossbar,
which he really should have done better with. Stats indicate the Giroud usually
needs about 7 shots to convert, and he’s taken 22 shots since his last
goal—he’s due for some luck in front of goal soon. After Arsenal went a goal
down, they pressed higher up the pitch and looked to get the full backs into
play, so Podolski (who came on for Jenkinson) and Walcott could get into the
box. The hugely efficient German striker uncharacteristically missed a tap-in
in he 84th minute, but Cazorla saved his teammate’s blushes in the
86th minute by slotting in a Monreal cross.
Final thoughts
It was a much needed three
pointer for Arsenal after a disastrous couple of results. Wenger hasn’t
mentioned it in 2013 yet, but the team seems to be playing with the “handbrake”
on during first halves. On this form, it is difficult to imagine them scoring 3
at the Allianz Arena. Chelsea and Spurs haven’t lain solid claims to the last 2
Champions League spots while Everton are fading, so it seems to be a 3-way
fight.
Aston Villa definitely
have the personnel to stay on this form but showing a little more ambition
after they’d equalized would have put Arsenal on the back foot, especially with
the indifferent form of their defense. They chose to continue to defend deep
which didn’t work; the excellent Cazorla completely bossed the space between
their midfield and attack which led to the Arsenal winner.
Arsenal ratings
Wojciech Szczesny: Made a couple of
decent saves, and one really good one against N’Zogbia. Handling was a bit
suspect and surely could’ve done better for the goal which he did get a good
look at. 5/10
Carl Jenkinson: Better than Sunderland performance. One
particular interception and cross almost led to a goal. Weak header led to
Weimann goal. 6/10
Nacho Monreal: Exhibited very decent
ball control
for the cross that led to the second goal. Weimann gave him the run-around at
times but was generally solid. 7/10
Thomas Vermaelen: Kept Benteke quiet.
Uneventful game, which is a good improvement upon previous comedy performances.
6/10
Per Mertesacker: Uneventful game as
well. Was brushed aside by Agbonlahor which almost led to a goal; expect much
better from a seasoned German international. 6/10
Abou Diaby: 6/10 – Quiet game, but was central to one
particular move that almost led to a Walcott goal. Picked up injury as he does.
6/10
Mikel Arteta: Typically efficient.
Won the ball well and made important interceptions that helped set up attacking
moves. 7/10
Jack Wilshere: Central to all that
was good about Arsenal’s play. Could be seen chasing back during Villa’s goal.
Drove at the defence and harried the midfield while picking out runners with
sublime skill. Don’t get injured please. 8/10
Santi Cazorla: Two goals scored, one with each foot. Thank you
very much. 9/10.
Olivier Giroud: Held the ball up well, and linked play
wonderfully on occasion. A little wasteful in front of goal, but we have to
admit that we were pampered by some clinical Dutch finishing last season. Must
do better in front of goal. 6.5/10
Theo Walcott: Pretty quiet game. Full backs stayed back
and didn’t give him space to run into. Dribbled well on a couple of occasions
and put in a few threatening crosses. 6.5/10
Subs
Aaron Ramsey: Hardworking
performance, and did better than Diaby in the ball-carrying midfield role.
Filled in well at right back. Encouraging return to form (touchwood) 7/10
Lukas Podolski: Was brought to provide to a goal threat, and
missed an absolute sitter. Dare I say, looked a little indifferent while
Arsenal was chasing the game? 5/10
