The month of December marks a very important period of time for clubs in the Premier League. The domestic fixture list for this period is traditionally hectic with a festive season full of thrilling games in the country. Arsenal made a great start to this month with three victories in three matches and is at the top of the table at the moment.
The 3-0 victory at Olympiakos that saved the Champions League season for the Gunners was followed by a comfortable 2-0 victory against a struggling Aston Villa side. Remi Garde’s side came into the game as second favorites and failed to impress once again as this result now sees them at the 20th place with just 6 points to their name.
Olivier Giroud has been in good form and started this game at the Villa Park with Mesut Ozil, Joel Campbell and Walcott just behind him. Injuries to players meant Aaron Ramsey started in the mid-field for the visitors on the day. Villa came in with a tall striker who was supposed to be the target man under pressure with some pace on the flanks for the counters.
But their tactics were dealt an early blow when Theo Walcott got the better of Hutton who bought him to the ground. Walcott’s pace was too much to handle for the Villa defender and the referee pointed to the spot. Giroud who has scored in the last 4 games for Arsenal stepped up and slotted home to give the visitors the lead in the 8th minute of the game.
This early goal set the tone up for the game as Arsenal dominated the game for the next 15 minutes. They were linking up well in the mid-field and on the flanks and looked for the incisive pass that can put them 2 ahead in the game. They threatened more and more even as Villa created a couple of half chances and the 2nd goal was not too far.
Aaron Ramsey did ever so well to win the ball deep in his half and set up Walcott carried the ball towards the half line. With three runners up front, Walcott found Ozil with a beautiful ball and the German selflessly passed it to Aaron Ramsey himself who put the ball back in the net for Arsenal’s second goal of the night.
Villa were completely carved open from that move and it also showed how potent Arsenal are on the counters when required. The half time whistle was blown without further damage as Remi Garde relished the chance to speak to his players. The half time team talk showed its effects as Aston Villa started the second half positively.
Rudy Gestede who was a mere spectator in the first half started to get involved in the game as Villa for the first time looked to put pressure on the Arsenal defense. The home team created a couple of half chances but the Arsenal defense was solid on the night as they never gave the Villains any time on the ball.
But Villa increased their movement and looked to trouble Arsenal even more. They were at times exposed at the back but the lack of creativity and confidence in the Villa side at the moment meant that they were not able to put one past Petr Cech on the night. Their desperate effort to make a comeback on the night was cut short at the final whistle and Remi Garde was left thinking about what he had to do to get his team out of the relegation zone.
For Arsene Wenger though, the performance from Arsenal will give great comfort as they not only looked confident in front of goal, they also held onto their lead in-spite of some serious pressure from the home team in the second half. A clean sheet will also give the Arsenal players plenty of joy. They will be hoping that they can continue their good form for the rest of the month when they face some crucial fixtures that can make or break their season.
They need more players to be fit as quickly as possible if they are to entertain any hopes of a title challenge in the long run. But at the moment, Arsenal will be happy with a weekend that saw most top clubs drop points in the Premier League.