If ever there were a game of two halves…. Amazing turnaround yesterday to go through to the fourth round against Sunderland or Middlesborough.
January has been a crap month for us with three league games lost in a row and controversy over that substitution. Put together with the likelihood that the temporary appearance of Thierry Henry will be the only form of reinforcement it was looking even more grim by half-time yesterday.
In the first half we watched that frustrating Arsenal that shows flashes of class but then sloppily squanders them. Signs of superiority for a while, but without taking control. It took Villa a little while to capitalise, but you feared it was coming. Come it did, twice. The second was a good finish from Bent on a very tight angle, but both were poor goals to succeed.
In the second half though, Arsenal were transformed. Eager, faster and more direct. Don’t know what Arsene Wenger said during the break but we were a different team. All three Arsenal goals came as a result of strong runs into the box. A bit of luck too, but the sort of luck that doesn’t come without pressurising your opponents.
Some really rate Richard Dunne and I’ve seen him put in some solid, professional performances. But for Arsenal’s first goal he panicked big time. Aaron Ramsey surged into the box but had probably pushed the ball a bit further ahead than he wanted. He was certainly only evens with Given to collect first and odds against to score. But before either could win that race, Dunne appeared on an unstoppable slide that cleaned Ramsey out. Penalty, no question.
Nicely taken by Van Persie. Given guessed right and was agile as ever, but the ball was beyond him. Van Persie sprinted back to the centre spot with the ball, Arsenal were in with a shout.
Then we were level. Again it came from a strong run with the ball into the box and a slice of luck. Theo Walcott jinked his way in from the right, along the line, but there was no obvious pass on. Another jink and a hopeful stab could have come to nothing but for the hapless Hutton stabbing the ball back into Walcott’s path for a rebound into the goal. Another piece of well earned luck. Alan Hutton you had that coming after your last appearance against Arsenal.
Same again for the third goal. This time Koscielny surged forward, bursting through into the box. Darren Bent had tracked most of his long run and I guess a sort of mental momentum took over. He went for the tackle even though he was too late and too directly behind Koscielny. On the ground he gestured hopefully that he’d got to the ball, but no chance. He’d gone straight through Koscielny to get there and it was another straightforward penalty decision.
Given gambled on Robin Van Persie repeating the first one and went early to his right. Robin went the other way and we were winning. After that we weren’t going to throw it away. Villa did have the odd attack, but Koscielny, Mertesacker and Fabianski dealt with them all. Mainly it was more Arsenal pressure.
Henry, Arteta and Sagna came on as late subs to keep Villa exercised. Good to see Bacary Sagna on his way back, because to be honest Francis Coquelin had a torrid old time against Agbonlahor. Arteta though wasn’t so badly missed last night as Tomas Rosicky played an absolute blinder.
After the game, ESPN pundit Martin Keown was talking through the highlights. With Laurent Koscielny onscreen he said that there were some real leaders beginning to emerge in this team. He was certainly right about Koscielny. He is a star and he is putting some backbone into Arsenal too. He is the clear winner in our match poll despite strong support for Rosicky and Van Persie.
So, finally some cheer to end a dismal month. Next up this week is a double helping in the league – Bolton on Wednesday, Blackburn Saturday. The first half Arsenal will turn both into nail-biters, won or lost on a late, lonely goal. Second half Arsenal will take six points with ease.
Come on you Gunners.
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