Key Points Taken From The Win Over Villa Including Thoughts On Szczesny, Wilshere & Cazorla

Arsenal had to dig deep to beat Aston Villa 2-1 at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon thanks to a double from Santi Cazorla. Arsenal fan ‘Lloyd the Gooner’ gives his thoughts on the game:

The Villa game should have been a routine win. But this is Arsenal and we don’t (can’t) do those. How can a team with Wilshere and Cazorla labour so much? The answer lies in front and behind them.

Szczesny. Another error. There are clear deficiencies in his game that you do not need to be an expert to see. I don’t see Fabianski or Manone as the answer. I was pleased to see us linked with Valdes of Barcelona this week. He is 31, in his prime as a keeper, I would sooner see him than any Liverpool reject. Reina is too erratic for me these days.

It was good to see Jenkinson get a game against the Villa especially with uncertainty surrounding Sagna’s future. At his age and relative inexperience he takes time to find his game after not playing. I thought against Villa his pace helped us. He gives the team some much needed physicality. However, his crossing can be excellent but is inconsistent. Overall a plus.

Watching the Villa game I was struck by how easy it was to get at our back four. Even Barcelona have Busquets! They all tried, battled, fought but still poor opposition like the Brummies made chances. We are linked with so many players but this week Etienne Capoue was mentioned. Is he technically good enough? If only we could get the real Diaby back. That said, we do need someone who knows his limits and loves defending in midfield.

Wilshere is world class. Easy to say but happens to be true. You need a reason to watch games sometimes. Over the years I have trudged to Highbury or the Emirates only quickening my pace at the thought of a Brady or a Limpar. And what a joy it is these days to watch Jack! How has he gained speed after such a long injury break? His passing is much better now as well. The ball to Monreal for the winner, how good was that? You normally see straight balls for diagonal runs and vice versa. That was a straight run and a straight ball played with perfect weight…pure joy.

Cazorla has been a massive bonus this season. He hasn’t needed time to adapt and along with Jack you tell me of two more gifted playmakers.

I’m sorry to say it but big Giroud is a squad man at best if we are going to compete at the very top in Europe. Even against Villa he looked ordinary. But I think he can make an impact for us and I would keep him. The alternative (Bendtner and Chamakh) is too awful to contemplate!

Podoolski is an acquired taste isn’t he? You have to get used to the fact that he doesn’t like the dirty work, rarely goes past people and is quiet for long periods in a game. But when he is in the game he is so dangerous. He is as Arsene Wenger says efficient.

Theo has improved his game so much this season. He is the player to remember if you ever make a hasty judgement of a player in future. He can undo the best defences not consistently but often enough.

My summer will be much the better if we get a keeper, a defensive midfielder and a centreback. It will be even better if a top and I mean top forward arrives. We aren’t where we want to be at the moment but…are we far off?

What were your thoughts on the Villa game? What positions need strengthened in the summer? Get involved in the comments section below.