Arsenal: Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain , Welbeck
Subs: Ospina, Coquelin, Diaby, Alexis, Rosicky, Wilshere, Podolski
—
Arsenal ended Aston Villa’s unbeaten record in style this afternoon, scoring three times inside four minutes to ensure three important Premier League points.
Arsene Wenger made three changes from the team that were beaten in midweek by Dortmund – Oxlade-Chamberlain came in for Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla replaced Alexis, while Calum Chambers recovered from tonsillitis to start at right-back.
With Aaron Ramsey playing closer to Mikel Arteta, and Ozil seemingy in the middle, Arsenal started brightly enough but the first chance of the game fell to Villa. A poor Szczesny clearance fell to Fabian Delph but the keeper made up for his mistake, making a decent save.
Arsenal responded with a Danny Welbeck curler from distance which dipped a couple of feet over the bar and the game fell into a kind of lull as the two teams sounded each other out. Alan Hutton headed a corner not too far over the far corner in the 17th minute, while from an Arsenal corner Aaron Ramsey smacked a ball from the edge of the box only to see it fizz just wide of the near post.
After Calum Chambers picked up a yellow card and gave away a free kick on the Villa left, the home side had a great chance to go ahead. The free kick was curled in over the head of everyone, it came to Clark at the back post but his point blank header was saved by Szczesny. It was a fantastic piece of goalkeeping to keep the scores level.
The save was brought into sharper focus when the Gunners went ahead just a few minutes later. Arsenal worked it from the back, Welbeck played a delicious ball behind the Villa defence to find Ozil’s run and the German took a touch before sliding it home to make it 0-1.
And it got even better just moments later. With Villa still rocking, Ozil was sent free down the left hand side. He fired in a first time cross which Welbeck crashed into the roof of the net from close range for his first Arsenal goal. 0-2.
And less than 60 seconds later, Arsenal were in dreamland. After the team in yellow pressed high again, Gibbs ran on to a loose ball and had a shot which he mishit, but somehow, at the back post, Sissokho diverted the ball into his own net. 0-3.
It was an amazing spell of clinical finishing and self-destruction, and a reinvigorated Ozil almost made it four volleying a bouncing ball wide with the keeper rooted to the spot. Aaron Ramsey tried again to get on the scoresheet, fizzing a shot wide from the same position he missed earlier in the half, but the Gunners took their 3-0 lead into the break.
Villa made a half-time change, bringing on youngster Jack Grealish while Arsene Wenger naturally enough kept faith with the team that had produced in the first period. Welbeck had the first attempt of the half for Arsenal but it was easily saved by Guzan.
Ramsey picked up a 56th minute booking before giving away a bizarre corner, clobbering a simple pass out for a Villa set-piece. It gave the home side a sniff of goal too as Oxlade-Chamberlain threw himself in the way of a Ciaran Clark shot at the back post.
Calum Chambers, already on a yellow card, got a warning from referee Mike Jones for a foul in the attacking half of the pitch, but with no defenders on the bench the manager had to trust his young signing would play sensibly until the final whistle.
The former Southampton man made a positive burst down the right, forcing Senderos to defend well to deny Welbeck a second, but the game was barely a contest. Villa’s most notable moments were when Agbonlahor jumped up in frustration when another Arsenal move bypassed his efforts at closing down.
Arsene Wenger made three changes in the 78th minute with Rosicky, Podolski and Wilshere replacing Ramsey, Welbeck and Oxlade-Chamberlain. It changed little as Arsenal’s domination of possession and territory ensured their control of the second period didn’t falter.
All in all, just what the doctor ordered after the midweek disappointment and, without getting ahead of ourselves, more like the Arsenal we all want to see.
That was enjoyable!
Ozil and Welbeck seem to be forming a nice partnership, some great link up play. Pleased for both.
That ball from Ozil for Welbeck was truly world class – inch perfect!
Watch Wenger play him on the left next game…
In all seriousness, so happy for Ozil. I always knew he would come good and hopefully he keeps up this form.
Wasn’t he on the left anyway?
With the ball he went anywhere he wanted.
Nominally on the left, but was fluid between all three forward positions, just as he has been all season.
Great to see him play well. One of the best passers of the ball I’ve ever seen when he plays like this.
….and the center….. and the right. No different from how he has played all season so far. He seems to have free reign to play across the line.
The difference today?
No Wilshere and Sanchez maybe gave him a bit more room to play?
Things just came off today? — The interplay between Özil and Wellbeck was there in the City game, but the final balls were better today (and no Fernandinho to flatten Wellbeck off the ball).
Maybe he’s finally getting match-fit? — Six weeks ago he was still on holiday.
Maybe he’s just getting physically fitter too – tournaments pretty much demand everything from a player and it was just a few weeks after it looked like ozil was running out of steam thanks to a breakless winter in his first season at England.
It’s not entirely unexpected, but it is nice to see him coming back to his old form.
Ten minutes of absolute magic from everyone and clear evidence of how effective Ozil is through the middle. While the second half was 45 minutes of very stale football, I guess it’s good to know we can keep possession and lock a game down if need be. Also the first clean sheet of this BPL season and no injuries! Definitely a lot of positives to take away from todays game!
What’s interesting this season is arsenals high pressing, before we use to be so passive off the ball, this game demonstrated the advantages of pressing high up, can’t help but think we will be devastating when we click COYG
What annoys me is that this team seems to forget every now and then that they need to press and it takes a bad defeat and presumably a bollocking for them to start doing it again!
Ten minutes of magic that came after an absolutely massive save from Szc, in my opinion, the biggest moment of the game. But I really hope he works on his kicking in training, I’m afraid he’ll undo all his great saves by making a poor clearance and gifting the opposition a goal or two.
true..against ManC in dying minutes .. he made a lame-kick clearance giving the ball to whoever was on their left flank…
The return of 4-2-3-1, Arsenal the way we know it. COYG!
Not to mention the return of Kieren Gibbs! God it’s good to see him back. He brings so much to our game for a left back. Monreal is a solid player, but Gibbs really is special. It has been amazing watching him develop so much over the last couple seasons. He has become so important. Future Arsenal and England left back for quite some time. Luke who?
I am happy that my weekend was not ruined!
oZilla is back and all is well .. I mean welback …:p
happy gooners day it was
what a fucking waste of time that 2nd half was. ruined an enjoyable match. could have been 5 or 6 nil
You almost have to applaud such negativity. Almost… Great stuff from Ozil today
It’s also misdirected negativity. It was a dull second half not b/c of Arsenal, but b/c Villa were clearly directed to sit back, not press until we entered their own half, and not concede any more goals. A pragmatic move on their point to prevent the added pressure that a runaway scoreline would have created. And Arsenal were happy to oblige.
Fuck off
At least it did not cause several heart attacks, think i can live with that, game over at half time
Right, I had a nice comfortable nap on my sofa after a sandwich and a beer. And when I opened my eyes, still 3-0! fantastic.
Considering the regularity/intensity of the games which we’ve played/will soon play, it was completely professional for us to do fuck all in the 2nd half. Would rather watch 45 minutes of nothing than go 6-0 up then lose Ramsey for 3 months with a hamstring
don’t say that.. you ma jinx his ramstring
Clearly one of those football fans that find MOTD highlights interesting and actual matches dull.
Yeah, what Will said.
Today was a great sign, that we could reduce the second Half to little more that a training session and not waste energy.
Dortmund showed what can happen if we have to play two games at the top level in four days, at this point in the season.
With Southampton on Tuesday in the cup and the NLD next Saturday, I’d take: healthy, fit and less tired over 2-3 more goals today.
You know you’re spoiled when a 3-0 win away from home against one of the in form teams isn’t enough for you
Well now speaking as someone who usually has to endure a heart attack inducing second half when we are leading I’ll take holding onto a 3-0 lead any day. Laughed my ass off at the end and will have a thoroughly enjoyable Sunday. You really don’t know when to enjoy life now do you?
I bet you loved the 2nd half against Newcastle a few seasons ago, the one where we were leading by 4 goals, but decided not to ruin an enjoyable match.
Why would anyone down vote that!
Happy for the lads, but don’t let the result fool you.
Why is always the good results that “fool” us? Why isn’t it ever the bad ones?
I think it’s that we still have the tendency to randomly decide to not turn up, it will take time to wipe the tase of those performances against Leicester and Dortmund away but more like this and mayube THIS time we’ve turned the corner?
What are you on about?!? First half was tight but we blew them away in three minutes. Second half they sat off so as to not conceed another goal and we played more defensive so we could get our FIRST clean sheet of the season.
Three goals , Clean sheet, Three points, Ozil on form.
Some people are never content
We aren’t playing well but won 3-0 so plenty of reason to be happy. Dont forget that this Villa team went to Anfield and won last weekend. We have lost one game since April 1st, not playing well and still grinding out of results. Things will only get better with Welbeck Sanchez gelling more with their team mates and when players like Cazorla and Ramsey get abit fitter and some form going. Not even mentioning players comming back from injuries. Next up in the league…..Spuds. COYG!
Villa definitely played damage control. Not much pressing from them second half, so it was harder to find space.
Fool me once shame on me fool me twice shame on me 3-0 win kiss my ass 🙂
ÖZIL!
#COYG
GOOOAAALLL!!!!!
GAOOOOOOOOO!!!!LLLL!
GOOOOOOALLLL!!!!
“GAOOOOOOOOO!!!!LLLL!” ??? For all the speed you rolled out each match report you were stupified by that 3-min spell as well, Blogs, weren’t you?
I felt that the spirit of the invincibles possessed this Arsenal team for 3 minutes today.
Loved it. Seeing us destroy Aston Villa in minutes, reminds me of the aura we had 10 years ago..
If Chelsea lose at the Ethihad tomorrow, we’d be the only unbeaten side left in the league after 5 games.
Just saying 🙂
We want them chavs beaten as soon as possible. Put it to bed for another year.
Best 4 minute spell of the season. What an extraordinary save by Szczesny though, story could’ve been a lot different if that would’ve gone in. Nice to see Ozil and Ramsey in form at last. Now, bring on the fucking scum.
Ramsey was very poor today and is nowhere near in form. Excellent from Özil today though. Give the man license to roam like that and he’ll boss it.
Get The Fuck In!!
The good thing is, Rambo contributed defensively and his passiong was accurate enough, so as lolng as he can carry his part then others can step up and score the goals, that’s the way team games are supposed to be rather than one guy doing it all.
I was talking about ramsey in the earlier posts that with 4-1-4-1 formations he did’t get in positions to shot on goals or have a chance to score, yes today he was no awesome but he took part in both of the goals and with 4-2-3-1 back he was in positions to shot and score several times. that was my point.
Ramsey in form??
form is temporary
class is permanent
Morale of the story Play OZIL at No 10 always
I’m not sure that was why we won. Pretty sure his position doesn’t make players snap into tackles, pass the ball more crisply or make everyone actually move to give passers options.
Having said that, Ramsey playing deeper again gave us a better shape, I thought, despite him still bein out of form.
The space he was able to create for his first goal was World class ..Would he been able to do that if he was trackin back to cover at the left flank…..ditto for the second…he was FREEEEEE so he could get into that space into the left and deliver that inch perfect ball to MR WELBECK for his FIRST GOOOONERRRRR goal …..
He wouldn’t have been tracking back when we had the ball that high up the pitch, but I get what you’re saying and maybe it helped a little but when a team plays as badly as we did against Dotmund, and then as well as we did today, safe to say it’s not down to a little position change.
Thats How a World Class No 10 operates…no tracking Flanks back…just Caviar moves ….ends the game in 2 Moves…………… Done….
moral*?
My Bad the “E” was from the super excitement from OZIL’S display….
I honestly think this Özil as no. 10 thing is a big media narrative that people are buying into. I didn’t really see any positional difference between this game and the games previous. Özil and Santi were drifting in their free roles as per usual. The only difference is that Özil was on top of his game today, and he really needed that. Hopefully this is the confidence boost that will kickstart his season, and get the media and those fickle fans off his back.
Not going to poo poo three points on the road this season. Villa gave up though. Shoulda put a couple of more past them, just in case it matters in May.
I’m perfectly happy taking the foot off the gas, getting our possession mojo back and not instigating the Villains into kicking out in frustration. We don’t need injuries.
Good fuckin stuff
So, this is what everyone was talking about strikers running behind the lines for Özil… long may it continue!
Brilliant result! Many positives. Looks like the real AFC is back!
Mesut fucking Özil! That was fun! Oooh to be a gooner. Apart from that Szcz save at 0-0, nice not having any brick shitting today.
3 goals, nice. Ozil playing well, nice. I was especially pleased that we actually had a few cynical fouls to stop their counterattacks as well.
Hell yes.
Cheered every yellow card, and Arteta taking someone out when he was already on one, if our opponents are going to take advantage of referees reluctance to give second yellows, we should too.
Yep, we were a bit lucky though, because refs never normally seem reluctant to give those second yellows to us, despite what they do with the opposition.
Yeah, don’t forget the Debuchy and Ramsey reds…
I was really hoping we’d push for more goals in the second half. It’s rare you face a team as limp and pathetic as Villa were today. Still, 3-0, a nice stroll out in the Park.
Nice to see Welbeck get his first “GAOOOOOOOOO!!!!LLLL!”
Top of the arse
We picked up a lot of points like this last season – a brilliant 5-10 minute spell where we scored one or two and then kill the game by passing it around. I for one am not complaining – though I notice some others are already whining about how it should have been 6-0. Some people…
And oh, Ozil to stay at the No. 10 position PLEASE!
Good response from Ozil to his critics.
not just critics .. even some fellow gooners…
Özil better in the middle than on the left wing? Who’d’ve thought?!? YELLOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWS!!!
Özil>David silva
So, 3 goals, 3 points, clean sheet, what should I complain about?
Why doesn’t Arsenal work on their goal difference?
Having watched the replays, my favourite part of Welbecks goal was the glance off Guzans face. Then my favourite part of the own goal was Guzans reaction as it goes in
I say favourite part, obviously the cutting attacking play was the best thing about them! Solid performance really, could’ve gone for more goals but might as well save some energy against a team who didn’t even bother with the second half
Anyone else scream out ”DAT GUY WELBZ” when he scored.
What a boring game. Not that i’m complaining.
Good pay back… can’ ask for more.
That was more like it. Much better performance. Will do good in enhancing confidence of our players. Good stuff boys.
The boys needed that. Hopefully they can kick on now.
Finally, FINALLY a good performance this season. Long overdue. Great game from Ozil, but the best part? We actually tried some ‘tactical fouls’ to stop their counter attacks, looks like Bould was angrier than even we were about Koscielny failing to stop Immobile midweek. Nice to see some Bottle back in the side. Two home games now – Southampton in the Cup and the scum in the Prem next Saturday. We really, really need two wins there, because the C.O.C. along with the FA Cup is likely our only hope of silverware this year, and with Chelsea at the Bridge… Read more »
Whoever said the second half ruined the match is way off base. We’ve shown we can ship goals in quantity and in mere minutes, so for us to tighten up, control the second half, and see out the game is no small matter. May it long continue.
Up the Arsenal.
I fucking loved the second half. We made it look easy but worked really hard to make it look that way.
Got some nice Wengerball to enjoy as well
That pass was so good even Sanogo would have scored !!!
Sanogo’s shot would have hit the bar and ended up in the back our own net.
Happy today!
Ozil… Welcome back
Amazing what happens when Ozil is played in his preferred position, that was devastating today. Fantastic effort by the entire team, we even got the Podolski smile and cheeky wink while coming on. Epic.
I would throw that 4-1-4-1 in the bin forever.
COYG.
nc
That was tasty
That Szczęsny save .. huge.
Glad we got our shit together before the scummy spuds. Happy for oz.
And every body said……amen
Good scoreline. Too much and people would say we won because Villa was poor. Too little and people would say we were lucky.
Fans wishes have been answered. Match 1 Injury 0
Welbeck and Ozil seem like they are forming an understanding good assist and goal from both for each other. Thought everyone played pretty well. Ramsey playing deeper (like most of last season) gives the team better shape and legs around Arteta. Ramsey wasn’t great again but his work rate is exceptional and the team is far more balanced. Thought Chambers and the OX were very good on the right. People stop complaining about the 2nd half. Villa shat themselves (literally) and just sat in.. That was perfect after a midweek game and it turned into a keep ball exercise..I was… Read more »
Here’s hoping Ramsey quits those consistency patches patented by Walcott
Great game from ozil. COYFG
Ozil was great. Ox was also good. It would have better had rosicky started or at least came on earlier. Still lots of positives #COYG
That’s more like it!
Yeah!
FG – care to elaborate?
I know you get a lot of stick around here, but if you’d leave I would miss you, because you are usually eloquent in your critique. I’d be interested to see what you have to say when things are rosier.
I didn’t see the game, but I’m just glad that, after a shitty start to the season, we’ve managed to win, what was on paper a tricky game, so comfortably.
Looking forward to MOTD tonight – except for that annoying cunt Robbie Savage.
Hey, Fatgooner.
Well, well…Ozil down the middle and he scores and plays better. The fans were right again!
The fans who were demanding that Ozil not play?
The 3 subs that Wenger made pretty much sums up our amazing offensive depth, and also our lack of defensive cover.
That said, what a great result after a disappointing mid week..coyg
Great result and a wonderful moment from the Arsenal fans singing Girouds name around 75 mins.
Thought that was not good for Danny! IMHO
I’m sure I heard the fans singing Danny’s name also
Actually, that pissed me off. Eleven players on the pitch, but they sign Giroud’s song because…ah fuck it, why not? Ozil, Cazorla, The Ox, Welbeck, Ramsey, Arteta, Chambers, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Szczesny, fucking pick one. No song? Just chant their name. Simple.
Actually thought that was a good example of why the away fans are so fantastic.
The players on the field needed no further encouragement, but hopefully Olivier was watching the game at home, and thought: I can’t wait to get on the pitch for this club again.
Fans.
Ozil detractors take a look! COYG!
I am laughing out loud after some of the previous fans comments on this forum, for the record Özil was man of the match today but he is usually a very reliable player. He is a playmaker, if we do not supply him with passes (Eg. Dortmund..) then he is not the one to blame.. Look at other positions than his, he really isn’t the one to blame.. His passing is what makes him so special, critics should fuck off.
Those three minutes and the feeling after that reminded me of the Champions league game against Napoli ! The opposition did not know what hit them and it was a stroll from there on.
Glad to see the big man Abou back on the bench and pick up all three points.
Mash-able spuds next ! COYG !!
Abdoulaye Ramsara had a top notch game today. He’s oh so good when playing deeper as part of a double pivot.
That yellow card he took for the team after that tactical foul made me eyes watery. Shades of his all action awesomeness from last season reemerging.
Ramsara is best when he does the basics by dominating the middle of the park – especially doing his share of the defensive dirty work. The goals seems to flow without effort in that case almost like the icing on the cake.
I thought he was horrible today?
A terrible Abdoulaye Ramsara is still a deadly Abdoulaye Ramsara!
Gets coat…
He stuck to his job, supported Arteta, showed for the ball, and defended so Ozil didn’t have to much other than press up on Villa. (Which he did. Not lazy.) And still Ramsey found himself in shooting positions and even on the break a couple of times. Ran out of gas before being subbed. Needs a rest. The cup match is perfect timing for a break for him. A stray pass or two, but it happens, and ended up harmless.
Thrilled with that and for Ozil and Welbeck especially! The attacking 4-2-3-1 needs to be used on teams that we know we can beat and take the game too. Welbeck’s so much more agile and mobile than Giroud and I think that helps us play better football (and helps Ozil too obv) Happy with that, cannot complain with a 3-0 away win.