Get the fuck in! In a week where we play Leicester at home, Liverpool at home, and Villa away; to take 6/9 points from these 3 fixtures is nothing short of impressive. Through a goal in the 30th minute from Bukayo Saka, Arsenal traveled up to Villa Park and nabbed a 1-0 victory to extend our lead in the race for Top 4. For me, it never bothered me that we loss to Liverpool midweek, those results will happen to teams that are better than you. It was always going to be how we respond to losses that mattered and I have to give credit when it’s due, Mikel got the boys ready to play and they delivered massively. A well timed win going into the International break with the table looking like this:
PREMATCH/FIRST HALF – Mikel went with an almost unchanged lineup from the team that lost to Liverpool midweek with Leno, and Smith Rowe coming in for Ramsdale and Martinelli. Ramsdale is suffering from a hip injury that will most likely keep him out of the England camp. Martinelli came up with an illness that let ESR step into the team for the first time in awhile. Steven Gerrard went with a mostly unchanged side that lost to West Ham last week with Buendia, Konsa, and Ashley Young coming in for Ings, Chambers and Digne. From the start, Arsenal were all over Villa just like the old Wenger teams would do. I was pleased with how early Arteta got the boys to assert their dominance over an inferior opponent. Every time Arsenal wanted to, you felt like they were a threat especially with Saka down the right flank. Arsenal were then able to break through with a goal from Saka at the top of the box to give us the lead.
After we took the more than deserved lead, Arsenal was then able to assert more dominance in the game which was 100% due to the influence of a beautiful Ghanaian man that goes by Thomas Partey. I love this man so much. He didn’t put a foot wrong all game, made all the correct decisions, was able to beat any of Villa’s pressing through his dribbles/passes. Just another masterclass from this man, and if he keeps it up with us qualifying for Champions League, no reason why he shouldn’t be considered for Team of the Season but we can talk about that later.
Saka then gets sliced through by a late challenge from Tyrone Mings.
I am pleased that the Arsenal players put the pressure on the ref to at least consider a red. Deep down, it is never a red card but as Arsenal fans, we know we have been given reds for way less. Another point to make is that it was nice to see the Arsenal players standing up for Saka as other teams have enjoyed hacking our starboy when given the chance this season. Needed to create s situation out of it to let the league know that shit like this can’t keep happening.
SECOND HALF – As bad as Villa were in the first half, you 100% expected them to come out with something more and they definitely did. Coutinho and Buendia in particular were pretty inept on the day, not being able to do much, mostly due to Thomas Partey and the White/Gabriel partnership. Villa came close from an Ollie Watkins shot on his left foot cutting in which deflected onto the near post. Arteta made subs to get Pépé and Eddie on to see out the match and it was pretty disastrous cameo by both players and that is being nice about it. In extra time, Pépé lost his mind and fouled Douglas Luiz on the edge of the box which gave Villa a chance to tie at the end of the game but a superb save by my guy Bernd Leno kept the clean sheet and guaranteed us 3 points going into the International Break. I also throughly enjoyed the Arsenal players crowding and hugging Leno after today’s match. Bernd has been nothing short of a class act and proved his quality today when we needed him most.
SUPERLATIVES:
MOTM: There are a few candidates for this award as Saka, Thomas, Gabriel, and Leno for me are all worthy candidates for today’s match. I’d have to give the edge to Saka for me as the MOTM. He was a constant threat down the right combining well with Ødegaard and Cédric throughout. Besides him scoring the game-winner, it was his combination with Cédric down the right flank that let Cédric cross the ball in and have it come back out for his shot for the goal.
Biggest Clown: Andrew Madley (referee) – Mcginn straights up pushes Lacazette to the ground during the Saka-Mings scuffle and nothing was given. Xhaka pushed Buendia away and immediately gets a yellow. Also the booking was Thomas was laughable but what are you going to do.
Group of people I’m most embarrassed for: Villa fans – It was Tyrone Mings that brought down Saka on a late challenge but let’s boo Saka all game whenever he touches the ball, that makes a lot of sense lol.
PLAYER RATINGS:
Bernd Leno: 8/10 – My fucking guy. I’ve always said he kinda got screwed out of the job but did more than well today to get us the win and secure a clean sheet. Happy for him
Cédric: 7/10 – He was fine, combined well with Saka
Ben White: 7/10 – secured a clean sheet for us, did well with crosses
Gabriel: 7.5/10: Our Brazilian colossus at the back, immense today.
Kiran Tierney: 7/10 – Did his defensive duties well, lot of action on the back post that he cleaned up nicely.
Thomas: 8.5/10 – Just consistent 8’s and 9’s from this man at this point
Xhaka: 7/10 – He did well today despite the yellow, kept his head
ESR: 6/10 – Not at his best which is only coming from the high standards he has set for himself this season. I do enjoy watching him turn and dribble with the ball with pace.
Ødegaard: 6.5/10 – Energetic, good response from the Liverpool game
Saka: 8.5/10 – Another goal. Starboy’
Lacazette: 6/10 – At this point, someone needs to remind Laca that he is allowed to score goals, I love that he is unselfish but wish he took more initiatives at certain points (Yes, not including that one chance where he should’ve put Martin through)
Kent: 10/10 – Being happy about an Arsenal team in March.
Featured Image credits: Getty Images
Image credits: Reuters
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