Hi fellow true gooners.
Cesc Fabregas came off the bench to clinch 3 vital points for Arsenal, a result that puts us back into the title race. I was nervous before today's game, Villa have been in excellent form and I thought we would really struggle to break them down. The first half was a good one, not much in the way of chances but we were playing well enough. Eduardo should definitely have scored in the opening 5 minutes and perhaps it can be true to say that he has never been the same player since the injury at Birmingham 2 seasons ago.
The second half was completely different, we pressured Villa high up the pitch and I felt a goal was on its way even before Cesc came on. What can I say about Cesc? The little genius stepped of the bench and had an almost instant impact, he really was a class above any player on that football pitch today. Fabregas is not know for his set piece ability but his first was an absolute beauty and his second goal a piece of stunning break away football. I am not Walcott's biggest fan but to be fair he played well when he came on, the Villa defenders couldn't live with his pace and for once he did have the end product which he usually lacks when in the final third. I thought Diaby was magnificent today, if he can find consistency then he can be a fantastic asset to Arsenal. The defence also looked very solid, they defended as a unit and managed to keep a very pacey Villa front line at bay, in truth they never really looked like scoring. I just love Vermaelen, he has such fantastic technique and is a real fighter - the incident where he was on the floor and still managed to shield the ball from Agbonlahor was magnificent.
Victory did come at a cost and I hope that Fabregas's injury is not too bad as with Song going to the ACN we will be dreadfully short of midfielders - I also hear that Denilson picked up a knock too. I feel the momentum is with us but it will all count for nothing if we don't get 3 point at Portsmouth on Wednesday. I maintain that if Wenger can make one or two quality signings in the next month then we have a real chance of lifting the Premiership trophy come May.
Player Ratings:
Almunia 6 - Did make a good save today but I have no confidence in the guy at all, erratic is an understatement.
Sagna 8 - Solid as ever, if only he had the attacking ability of Eboue he would be the best right back in Europe.
Vermaelen 9 - Brilliant today, one of the main reasons we kept a clean sheet today.
Gallas 9 - Strong in the tackle and always a threat at set pieces.
Traore 8 - Growing into the side the more he plays, a very able debuty at left back and a great pass to Walcott for the second goal.
Denilson 6 - Ineffective but battled hard.
Song 8 - Great game today, harried the opposition and shielded the back four well.
Diaby 8 - Excellent in the first half but faded in the second, great goal at the end.
Nasri 6 - Not a great performance, needs to be more direct with his final ball.
Eduardo 6 - Missed a great chance, did his bit but he isn't a left sided midfielder and there are question marks as to whether he has lost something that made him such a special player before his horrific injury.
Arshavin 6 - very poor today, the sooner we get Bendtner back the better as he is not a lone front man.
Subs:
Fabregas 10 - A genius.
Walcott 7 - Did well when he came on, great pass for the second goal.
Ramsey 6 - Not on the field long enough to make an impact.
Cesc Fabregas came off the bench to clinch 3 vital points for Arsenal, a result that puts us back into the title race. I was nervous before today's game, Villa have been in excellent form and I thought we would really struggle to break them down. The first half was a good one, not much in the way of chances but we were playing well enough. Eduardo should definitely have scored in the opening 5 minutes and perhaps it can be true to say that he has never been the same player since the injury at Birmingham 2 seasons ago.
The second half was completely different, we pressured Villa high up the pitch and I felt a goal was on its way even before Cesc came on. What can I say about Cesc? The little genius stepped of the bench and had an almost instant impact, he really was a class above any player on that football pitch today. Fabregas is not know for his set piece ability but his first was an absolute beauty and his second goal a piece of stunning break away football. I am not Walcott's biggest fan but to be fair he played well when he came on, the Villa defenders couldn't live with his pace and for once he did have the end product which he usually lacks when in the final third. I thought Diaby was magnificent today, if he can find consistency then he can be a fantastic asset to Arsenal. The defence also looked very solid, they defended as a unit and managed to keep a very pacey Villa front line at bay, in truth they never really looked like scoring. I just love Vermaelen, he has such fantastic technique and is a real fighter - the incident where he was on the floor and still managed to shield the ball from Agbonlahor was magnificent.
Victory did come at a cost and I hope that Fabregas's injury is not too bad as with Song going to the ACN we will be dreadfully short of midfielders - I also hear that Denilson picked up a knock too. I feel the momentum is with us but it will all count for nothing if we don't get 3 point at Portsmouth on Wednesday. I maintain that if Wenger can make one or two quality signings in the next month then we have a real chance of lifting the Premiership trophy come May.
Player Ratings:
Almunia 6 - Did make a good save today but I have no confidence in the guy at all, erratic is an understatement.
Sagna 8 - Solid as ever, if only he had the attacking ability of Eboue he would be the best right back in Europe.
Vermaelen 9 - Brilliant today, one of the main reasons we kept a clean sheet today.
Gallas 9 - Strong in the tackle and always a threat at set pieces.
Traore 8 - Growing into the side the more he plays, a very able debuty at left back and a great pass to Walcott for the second goal.
Denilson 6 - Ineffective but battled hard.
Song 8 - Great game today, harried the opposition and shielded the back four well.
Diaby 8 - Excellent in the first half but faded in the second, great goal at the end.
Nasri 6 - Not a great performance, needs to be more direct with his final ball.
Eduardo 6 - Missed a great chance, did his bit but he isn't a left sided midfielder and there are question marks as to whether he has lost something that made him such a special player before his horrific injury.
Arshavin 6 - very poor today, the sooner we get Bendtner back the better as he is not a lone front man.
Subs:
Fabregas 10 - A genius.
Walcott 7 - Did well when he came on, great pass for the second goal.
Ramsey 6 - Not on the field long enough to make an impact.
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