Arsenal

[Player Ratings] Arsenal 3-0 Aston Villa: Songinho Runs The Show

Arsenal made it seven wins in seven games after a comfortable 3-0 win over Aston Villa at the Emirates today. Here are my player ratings for the Gunners players

by
Gooner Mac
March 24, 2012

Mikel Arteta Arsenal

Arsenal made it seven wins in seven games after a comfortable 3-0 win over Aston Villa at the Emirates today.

After all the drama and last minute winners of recent weeks, it was nice to enjoy a relatively easy afternoon. Laurent Koscielny failed to make it through the warm up and was replaced by Johan Djourou, but we’re hearing it was just tendinitis and he should be back for QPR next week.

Gibbsy opened the scoring after just 16 minutes, his shot squeezed under Given after 15 minutes. Walcott then made it 2-0 ten minutes later, Alex Song with another superb pass and Theo did well to control the ball before slotting home.

The rest of the game was played in second gear and it was a stroll for us in all honesty. Szczesny hardly saw the ball and we were just popping it about with ease. I was a little disappointed we weren’t trying to put 4 or 5 past them to enhance our goal-difference, considering before the game we started just 1 goal better-off than Tottenham.

So i was delighted to see us score a third in injury time, but what a goal it was. A stunning 30-yard free kick from Mikel Arteta, the kind of strike we haven’t seen since Ronaldo was in the Prem. 3-0, all over and we’re three points clear of Spurs and eight ahead of Chelsea. Triffic!

Here are my player ratings from the game:

Player Ratings

Szczesny – 6 – Won’t have many easier afternoons. His distribution was pretty poor though, especially in the first half but collected a few crosses well.

Sagna – 7 – Linked up well with Walcott down the right, and sent in a few dangerous crosses. Solid at the back when called upon.

Vermaelen – 7 – Got his head on everything and marshalled the back line well. Ventured forward a few times as well as he tried to continue his recent goal scoring form.

Djourou – 7 – A shaky start as Heskey was giving him problems, but settled into the game well and made a few important clearances. A ‘nice’ game for him to return at centre back after his struggles at right back a few months ago.

Gibbs – 7 – Pleased for the lad to get his first league goal. Did well to get past two defenders and get his shot away. Always eager to be involved down the left. Subbed for Santos in the second half.

Song – 8.5 – My MOTM. Superb ball for Walcott to score the second, broke up play and controlled the game from midfield. Excellent display from Alex.

Arteta – 8 – What. A. Goal. Simply stunning free kick in the dying seconds put the shine on a great all-round performance.

Gervinho – 6 – Got an assist for the Gibbs goal, but wasn’t at his best. Struggled to release the ball at the right time and final ball was poor.

Rosicky – 7.5 – Another very good performance from Thomas. Made some powerful driving runs and went close with a couple of shots. Seems to have become integral to our play now, which is great to see.

Van Persie – 7 – Looked a little tired. Missed a couple of chances and kept coming deep to get the ball. He was playing more as a play-maker than central striker, which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing but left us light up top. Arsene has suggested he needs a rest, but he’s got a week to rejuvenate and we don’t have a quality back-up to come in, so i don’t see that as an option.

Walcott – 8 – Great finish and was a danger throughout. Looking full of confidence now and making clever runs. Crossing is getting better as well. Keep it up son!

SUBS:

Ramsey – 6 – Showed a nice piece of skill to gain space on the edge of the box but slightly scuffed his shot. Did nothing else of note really.

Santos – 6 – Looked a little rusty and his mis-placed pass let Villa in for a rare chance at goal. But nice to see him back playing again.

Chamberlain – 7 – Made an impact from the bench after coming on for Theo. Showed his pace and skill with a superb run that almost earned a penalty, but Ireland just got a touch on the ball.

So another win on the board and we’ve tightened our grip on third. It’s been a great week for Arsenal, so lets push on and make it eight wins on the bounce next week at Loftus Road!