The Five: Arsenal 5-0 Aston Villa; Hi-Five

Arsenal continued their upward thrust with a superb victory over Aston Villa at the Emirates. The Gunners put 5 past Guzan with goals from Olivier Giroud, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Hector Bellerin.

Match Report – Wenger’s Comment – Players Rating.

One Man Team?
Arsene Wenger wouldn’t risk Alexis Sanchez because of his hamstring. The Chilean have carried Arsenal on his back like the mythical Atlas but could only watch as his team mates turned the Villians inside out. The media may lay the “One Man” ghosts to rest for now but there is another part of the story on Wenger will verify. The team may have drank a cup of his blood before the game.

Two Starts Two Goals Each
Walcott and Ozil started a game together for the 2nd time after their injury layoff. They both scored at Brighton and repeated the same feat against Aston Villa. I wouldn’t mind the continuity. Walcott though may be rusty but he is covering his flops up with good goals. He sure needs to step before “getting match fit” excuse is finished.

Ozil’s Wizadry
Mesut Ozil’s exquisite heel flick diverted Metersacker’s clearance for Giroud to open the floodgates for the gunners. The Wizard of Oz got a goal for himself in the second half to give Arsenal the 2nd of the day. There is no better way to make an impact after making his 1st league start since October. He seems ready for the physical side of the League.

Clean Sheet Again
The back 6 continued and came out tops with a clean sheet. Ospina was tested and he lived up to expectation to the disappointment of one man: Wojciech Szczesny. The “Oooooospina” chants must be killing the smoking Pole.

Coquelin drank two cups of Sanchez’s blood and kept his back four safe. Kos was the boss as ever, Metersacker metercepting, Monreal keeping gibbs away and Bellerin is just top notch. A debut goal to sum up his workrate. When Gabriel begins his reign, Arsene Wenger may afford to field only 10 players with no goalie. For now, let him sit at the right hand side of Bould, his time draweth near.

Closer to the top, Title Race?

Chelsea survived a City onslaught at the Bridge giving faint hopes to Manchester United and Arsenal in the title race. The race still longs like a duopoly but the Gunners are now 11 points from leaders Chelsea with a tie against the Blues to come. Can we now talk of the title race with this form?

It’s too early to say [that Arsenal can still have a say]. We are 11 points behind – that means they need to lose four games and we need to win four. I believe that we should try to be consistent and see what happens. I told you, you asked me my predictions [for the Chelsea v Manchester City game]. I said a draw and I was not wrong because Chelsea had one shot on target and Manchester City three or four. It was a draw. – Arsene Wenger after the game

Other notable mentions of the game includes: 5 wins in a row, No Card received, Akpom Fails to Score, Cazorla continues to rise, Wenger’s Zip, Anthony Taylor and many more

Enjoy