Have Arsenal got rid of their soft centre?
That’s five away wins in a row now after bullying wary Villa
ARSENAL’S celebrations showed the importance of these three points to their Champions League aspirations.
A fifth consecutive away win was thoroughly deserved but they still had to endure late drama in windy conditions. Philippe Coutinho’s curling free-kick represented Villa’s first shot on target with the last kick of the game.
Stand-in Gunners goalkeeper Bernd Leno superbly tipped it away and that was the cue for Andrew Madley to blow the final whistle, allowing a beaming Mikel Arteta and his players to rejoice in front of the noisy travelling fans.
‘It means everything to make the supporters happy,’ said Arteta. ‘We played two years without crowds, they have big emotions towards the club and give us belief and energy. The most important thing is unity within the club.
‘It was a big win after the defeat at Liverpool in midweek. We wanted to play well and get three points to keep the momentum going.’
Arteta had been criticised in midweek for complaining about fixture congestion but Arsenal didn’t show their soft centre of the past.
Bukayo Saka struck his 10th goal of the season through a forest of legs and from then on the spirit was spot on.
When Saka was left with a bloodied ankle from a Tyrone Mings challenge, his team-mates surrounded the ref in outrage. All for one and one for all.
When Villa belatedly pushed for the equaliser with the breeze behind their backs, Arsenal centrehalves Ben White and Gabriel headed everything away.
The Gunners now have a fourpoint cushion over fifth-placed Manchester United and will fancy their chances of returning to Europe’s premier club competition. It’s a long way from the start of the season when they lost their first three games and Arteta’s job was on the line.
Even so, they were fortunate Villa were so passive. Steven Gerrard accused his players of showing the Londoners too much respect as they didn’t lay a glove on the visitors until late on.
It was a surprise given Aaron Ramsdale’s hip injury meant a first league outing since August for
Leno. ‘We set up to be aggressive but it’s hard to execute a game plan if not everyone believes in what you are doing,’ he said. ‘We didn’t deserve anything with our first-half performance. We could have snatched a goal at the end but we didn’t start on the front foot.’
Worryingly, Villa have one win this season against teams above them and Gerrard hinted at more transfer activity in the summer with the owners watching on yesterday.
‘The league doesn’t lie,’ he said. ‘Certain teams are ahead of us and there is a reason for that. We’ve got to grab it off them and get support from up above.’
Despite Arsenal missing Ramsdale and Gabriel Martinelli (illness), Villa didn’t take advantage, with Ollie Watkins used as a lone striker. Martin Odegaard was heavily involved early on making chances for Emile Smith Rowe, who blazed over and Alexandre Lacazette, whose low shot was saved by Martinez. The Villa keeper also had to be alert to tip away Saka’s shot to the near post.
Villa’s first threatening moment, when Watkins was thwarted by Cedric’s fine challenge, served as a wake-up call for the visitors who made their overall superiority count to score after 30 minutes.
Cedric’s cross from the right bounced around the penalty area as if in a pinball machine before settling at Saka’s feet on the edge of the box. His low finish didn’t need power as it bobbled past a number of bodies, with Martinez seeing the ball too late to react.
The strong reaction to Saka being caught soon after by Mings showed how protective they are becoming with their star winger. But on this occasion Mings had nothing to reproach himself for with his challenge.
Villa fans spent the rest of the afternoon howling at every decision Madley didn’t give to them.
Gerrard at least got his side to show some attacking intent in the second half. Watkins ran tirelessly and struck the outside of the post via a Smith Rowe deflection.
Ashley Young delivered a couple of teasing crosses and three new forwards, Bertrand Traore, Leon Bailey and Danny Ings, were sent on to rescue a point. But chances remained at a premium until Coutinho’s last-gasp effort.