Karim El
Ahmadi: 5 - Always walked a tightrope
after being booked for a second minute-challenge on Wilshere. Overwhelmed by a
rampant Arsenal midfield with their excellent passing and movement.
Ashley
Westwood: 4 - Bypassed by the visitors rapid interchanges. Lack of defensive
discipline when pulled out of position in the build-up to the North Londoner’s
first goal. Stung Szczesny’s hands with a second half shot but otherwise
anonymous.
Fabian
Delph: 5 - Dragged a left footed shot wide from 20 yards early on when an
accurate shot could have troubled Szczesny. Showed subtlety with a dink in the
box to El Ahmadi who should have done better and tried to drive Villa forward
during the frantic closing stages.
Gabriel
Agbonlahor: 6 – Worked hard while his pace and direct running kept the Arsenal
defence on their toes - even if he flattered to deceive at times. Continued lack of goals
must be a big worry for the Villa Park faithful.
Christian
Benteke: 5 – Amazing what a goal can do as the Belgian’s confidence was low
after failing to score in his last eleven games prior to his headed goal. Was a
man transformed afterwards as he rediscovered his mojo. Nearly headed a late
equaliser - yet Villa fans have the right to ask why he failed to perform with
such vigour from the first whistle.
Subs:
Leandro
Bacuna: 6 - Replaced the unfortunate Baker on 20 minutes to play on the right
in a hastily re-arranged back four. Showed good energy going forward, even
testing Szczesny early in the second half but overworked defensively. Booked.
Andreas
Weimann: 6 - Replaced El Ahmadi on 73 minutes and helped to put the Gunners
under the cosh for the last 15 minutes.
Arsenal
Wojciech
Szczesny: 6 - Displayed effective punching but in truth he was rarely tested by
a toothless Villa forward line until Villa’s goal.
Bacary
Sagna: 6- Did well in supporting the attack by whipping dangerous crosses into
the box and always available to receive the ball.
Per
Mertesacker: 7 - The experienced German international showed good timing when
tackling and executing vital headers but will be disappointed he lost his man
for Benteke’s goal. Held firm during the
feverish last 15 minutes as Arsenal showed character to return to the top of
the table.
Laurent
Koscielny: 7 - His pace and awareness
was required when dealing with the threat of Agbonlahor in the centre
and he successfully denied time and space to Benteke.
Nacho
Monreal: 7 - An assist for the Spaniard when he squared the ball for Wilshere’s
goal in the Gunners' opener. Booked for an ill-timed lunge on the speedy
Agbonlahor. Subbed.
Jack
Wilshere: 9 - Rounded off a slick passing move by finishing well with a low
left foot strike for his third league goal of the season on 34 minutes.
Emphasised his class with a superb assist for the second strike timed just 17
seconds after the restart of the first.
Used the ball effectively and gave a powerful display throughout
including the frenzied final stages.
Mathieu
Flamini: 7 – Strong in the challenge and showed energy and tenacity in his
box-to box runs. Had an easy night in the middle of the park - until the hectic
last 15 minutes where his strength and tackling made a difference in repelling
Villa’s increasingly desperate forays.
Santi
Cazorla: 6 - Arsenal dominated possession and as a result his quick feet and
vision were always on show. Linked well with Ozil
even if he was robbed of the ball for Villa’s goal.
Mesut Ozil:
7 - Looked bright in crafting intricate moves in dangerous areas. His
exceptional awareness led to him featuring in the move for the opening goal.
Serge
Gnabry: 6 - Tucked in on the right after Clark nullified him early on. Showed a
willingness to compete physically and always looked to be involved by switching
flanks to find space. The experience can only have helped the fledgling
Arsenal career of the promising young German.
Olivier
Giroud: 8 - Headed narrowly wide early on.
Great initial touch allied with a slice of luck saw him finish
clinically for Arsenal’s second. Showed he is among the best in the Premier League
at playing with his back to goal.
Subs:
Kieran
Gibbs: 6 - Substituted for Monreal on 66 minutes. Good surging runs and helped
the Gunners hold on against late Villa pressure.
Tomas
Rosicky: 6 - On for youngster Gnabry
after 68 minutes. The experienced campaigner was subbed himself after being
clattered by Agbonlahor.
Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain: 6 - Nearly five months to the day since his injury against
Villa on the first day of the season Oxlade-Chamberlain returned to the fray. Replaced a
dazed Rosicky on 86 minutes as Arsenal held on after being so comfortable for
the first 75 minutes.
