An opening day fixture in which Arsenal were strong favourites ended up exposing Wenger’s tactical fragility; as an ever attacking Arsenal were left frustrated by some great goalkeeping from Guzan and desperate defending from the Villa back line, the Claret and Blues, today Claret and White, made their chances count, with a small hand from referee Anthony Taylor.
The first half started as last season ended, Villa fragile at the back and lacking a controlling midfield presence, and Arsenal attacking freely and looking like they could score at every opportunity. After 5 minutes Oxlade-Chamberlain was clearly ready to play as he used his pace and Arsenals incisive passing to stretch his full back and feed in Giroud with a simple cross. That’s right, I said Arsenal cross. 1-0 Arsenal. In fact the Gunners crossed a good amount for a Wenger team, sadly Jenkinson, who came on for Gibbs (cut above the eye) was the main exponent of this and he wasn’t particularly productive.
The first half continued that way with Arsenal creating good space in wide areas and Rosicky pulling the strings in the middle, yet for all of Arsenals good chances and neat play it was the pace of Agbonlahor that caused the most danger. A lovely move left the striker free to play kick and run through the middle and Arsenal only had one option to stop this advancement. A blatant foul in the box by Szczesny almost worked as the resulting penalty, taken by Benteke, was saved by the keeper. However the striker is a goal scorer and the nicely presented rebound was nodded in with ease.
Villa looked sharper for the rest of the half but Arsenal were clearly the better team and Villa simply couldn’t cope with their play.
1-1 at the break, Arsenal fans would feel rightly aggrieved.
The second half started similarly to the first with Villa floundering to keep control of Arsenal’s neat play style, however their passing looked crisper and on the hour Agbonlahor stripped the ball from the dwelling Cazorla, darted through the middle and was brought down by a desperate tackle from Koscielny. Sadly for Arsenal it seemed a good tackle, but the referee had a blocked view and Koscielny was punished with a yellow and a penalty. This time Benteke shaped for the top corner but swept the ball to the other side. 2-1 Villa.
From that moment Arsenal were stretched, their counter attacking game couldn’t work in the same manner and instead of soaking up pressure and breaking quickly they lost control of the midfield and needed to move up in clusters of passing. This suited Villa perfectly who with Agbonlahor’s desire to get back, and midfielders closing easy balls nullified the one touch passing.
Rosicky still looked dangerous and had a fantastic chance to level, he’d missed 2 easy chances before, but Guzan rushed out to make a great save; a few minutes later this was followed by another great save that saw Cazorla’s shot tipped onto the bar; this was the last Arsenal really tested the Villa defence.
Sadly for Arsenal things got worse as Koscielny’s yellow was doubled for a red and the Gunners high line allowed a great ball from Weimann to find Luna; one on one from the half way line the Spaniard entered the box, shaped for a return pass and slotted past a stranded Szczesny.
It was quite a celebration for the man nicknamed Tony Moon.
Sadly for Arsenal it felt like little had changed over the summer, dangerous play but nobody taking control at the right times, Wilshere played well and passed nicely but was moaning as much as the Arsenal fan’s instead of getting on with the game, Rosicky looked genuinely brilliant and was unfortunate to not score, but Walcott looked above his level again and Cazorla is clearly still in a pre-season mindset. Sagna got injured late on which has to be a real worry but Arsenal need a Suarez, or someone with his arrogance/ambition. It could be another season of ‘close but not cigar’ for the Gunners, though I’m sure not many teams would be disappointed finishing 4th.
Villa however might have a sneaky eye on Europe, two things could occur this season and for the Villains the manager is key; Delph looks a great midfield disruptor, Agbonlahor looks back to his hungriest, Lowton and Guzan continued their good form, Spurs will regret not buying Benteke, Weimann was the usual outlet and even Clark seemed ready for the long year ahead.
Where Lambert got it right today was the inclusion of El Ahmadi who sat back well, picked out good passes and made a nuisance of himself in defence without needing to look like a defensive player. His passing was clearly a threat and this allowed Villa’s counter attacking style to strangle Arsenal’s advances. With such a young squad, Westwood a Lambert favourite, and Sylla as an option tactical squad rotation in central midfield may prove the catalyst for Villa’s success, or their frustration.
3 points deserved for the Villains, Arsenal simply didn’t look hungry enough; though I am sure a certain Thunderbird will heap blame on a man in black.
Oh, a small mention for GDS (Goal Decision System) when Delph’s shot from distance rattled off the post and rebounded across the goal; for a tester it did indeed work and TV replays were quick to agree.
