Arsenal travelled to Villa Park on Saturday night to face Aston Villa, who had been on a run of two consecutive defeats and only one win in the last 5 games prior to the 0-0 draw against Arsenal.
The Gunners were fresh from two victories; the 5-2 North London derby over Tottenham in the Premier League and the 2-0 victory over Montpellier in the Champions League.
The game against Villa did not have many expectations, but many were predicting a fairly comfortable win for Arsenal. However, both teams were locked in a deadlock and were unable to gain the upper hand over the other.
The wet and slippery conditions did not make it easier; it poured down all evening and the game could’ve easily been won (or lost) due to an individual error from both sides.
Arsenal were dominant in possession and attacked more, but Aston Villa were disciplined at the back and saw the game out, securing a deserved point.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wojciech-Szczesny-c36998 – 8
The Polish goalkeeper was hardly tested, but escaped a nervy moment when he slipped and accidently handled the ball outside his box. He commanded and organized the team well while defending set pieces and looked solid all evening. He made a superb save in
the second half to deny http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brett-Holman-c8047.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Per-Mertesacker-c29680 – 8
The German centre-back was the embodiment of calm and composed as he continues to put in impressive and solid performance for Arsenal. He had the ball more often than any other player, and did well to contain http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Christian-Benteke-c9056.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Laurent-Koscielny-c21742 – 8
The Frenchman was again solid and ferocious, making his signature runs forward and covering for Mertesacker’s lack of pace. He tackled well and was a calm presence at the back.
Carl Jenkinson – 7
The young right-back filled in for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bacary-Sagna-c7148, and was effective at both ends of the pitch. He combined well with Chamberlain up front and did well to keep Agbonlahor quiet. His delivery however left much to be desired, considering his usual crossing ability
is quite deadly.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kieran-Gibbs-c20945 – 8
The left-back made a return to the team in place of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 much needed width up front.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mikel-Arteta-c25715 – 9
The Spaniard sported the captain’s armband, and was disciplined and solid in the holding midfielder role. He broke up Villa’s attacks on more than one occasion, and protected the back four superbly. Arteta was heavily involved in the game, and continues
to be a vital part of this Arsenal team.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aaron-Ramsey-c3065 – 7
Ramsey filled in for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jack-Wilshere-c17463, and had a decent game. He was guilty of slowing down play more often than once, and looked a bit jaded at times. However, he was superb and had his moments in the game. The Welshman probably had his side’s best chance
of the game, but his finishing let him down.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santi-Cazorla-c32505 – 8
The midfield maestro was kept quiet in the first half, but came alive after the interval. He showed flashed of his brilliance, and came close with a shot that just blazed past the post.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lukas-Podolski-c22896 – 7
The German had a lethargic performance, and maybe a week’s rest will do him some good. Podolski is the league’s most substituted player, and this has raised question marks over his fitness.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7
The young forward has still not kick started his season off, but looked bright and dangerous whenever he was shown space up front. Chamberlain however had to drop back deeper to receive the ball, and had a difficult time getting used to the slippery surface
and the wet conditions.
Olivier Giroud – 8
The Frenchman had another solid game, but was unable to make an impact. He was let down by a lack of quality delivery in the box, and was unable to take advantage of the crosses that he usually thrives on. Giroud had to drop deep to receive the ball, and
displayed his neat link-up play and dribbling ability every now and then.
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