It was a much-needed win to exorcise the demons of the past week. It was much needed to blow away the cobwebs and bad karma from that Spurs loss and it helped restore confidence and swagger to our campaign.
Andrey Arshavin, who had been getting a much deserved pasting for lacklustre-after-lacklustre displays, set the ball rolling in the 40th minute with a solo effort after feeding off a Fabianski punt down the pitch. Samir Nasri made it two up with a sweet, sweet volley off an Arshavin (yes, Arshavin!) cornerkick.
Second half saw us pegged back in the 51st minute as our defenders stood off Ciaran Clark, who volleyed into the net beyond Fabianski. Chamakh scored his tenth of a very-successful season so far off a cute pass from Rosicky but nerves started jangling alarmingly when Clark again headed in, off a corner in the 70th minute.
We contained them though and passed it around as they couldn’t finish the job and find an equalizer. Instead, it was our own jack-in-the-box, Wilshire who popped up at the end of a Chamakh lay-off to nod in the fourth goal for us deep, deep into injury time.
It was a huge, huge win over opponents who are adept at frustrating the big clubs.
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| Wilshire clinches it with a cute header and his premiership bow |
Below are the ratings
* Fabianksi (6/10) – Covered his lines well and has definitely dealt with the jitters and unsteady nerves, He’s not there yet, but he’s on his way to bringing some assurance and steadiness to the goalkeeping shirt. News now is that Manuel Almunia is back from injury and it will be interesting to see what happens to the Number one shirt in the nearest future. Fingers crossed over that, but Fabianksi has surely earned his spurs.
* Squillaci (6/10) – Did his usual best and kept both big John Carew and Robert Pires quiet in the first half. He had to do a lot more running though in the second half with the introduction of the speedy Nathan Delfuoneso, but he coped admirably and its quite re-assuring to see how he has dealt with the pace of the premiership. His experience is very handy.
* Koscielny (7/10) – I still like this guy despite the fact we haven’t stopped conceeding. The way the premiership is set up these days, clean sheets are a rarity and a tough task for all teams, not just us alone. But he is rugged and gives as much as he gets. Picked up a bloody nose after copping an elbow in the face from Carew but took it all in his stride to partner Squillaci well. I think its just the understanding between him and the other defenders that is lacking, cos he’s still new. With time, we’ll see a very capable defender emerging.
* Clichy (6/10) – Did his usual stuff on the wingback and supported Arshavin well. Was guilty for the first Clark goal though for standing off and giving the young Irishman too much time and space to pick his spot and shoot. Yet, on his day he remains a class act and a delight to watch.
* Sagna (7/10) – Very steady on his feet and full of running as always. Roamed all up and down the length of the pitch and must get credit for his phenomenal workrate. Will become very crucial for us as the season unfolds as he looks to have rediscovered his hunger and form that accompanied him in his first season with us three years back. Good game all round for the full-fledged Frenach international.
* Song (7/10) – Was a very prominent presence in the midfield for us. In the absence of Villa’s midfield marshall and captain, Stylian Petrov, Song bossed the middle of the park and helped us dominate the entire first half with ease. He has clearly grown in confidence with this new licence to roam and support the attack. Strong performances have become a constant brew from him and baring the odd blip, hardly ever has an off day.
* Wilshire (8/10) – I’m tempted to give him the man of the match, but that will have to go another pint-sized, pocket battle ship. Jack was full of his usual running and trickery and was virtually untouchable for much of the game. The highlight of his afternoon must of course be the 94th minute header he scored to put us out of sight and seal the game. It was also his first premiership goal for the Gunners following on his first European goal against Shakhtar Donetsk, last month. Keep it up Jack.
* Nasri (8/10) – Like good wine, this Frenchman just keeps getting better and better. He scored a cracker of a goal on the stroke of halftime and could easily have added another just before then. Very confident now and had found his mojo after a pedestrian start to his Arsenal career. The more you see of his this season, the more you love him.
* Rosicky (7/10) – The Little Mozart came into the side in place of the injured Cesc Fabregas. Did very well as he controlled proceedings and dictated the pace of the game most of the time. Set up the third goal that Chamakh scored with a fine pass and never tired of looking for spaces and angles. He may have lost his scoring boots but his passing ability remains undiminished.
* Arshavin (9/10) – He was a very different animal through the 90 minutes. Scored a very classy goal that reminded us all of his deadly abilities. Also hut the corner kick that Nasri buried with relish and continued to torment Richard Dunne and Collins in the Villa defence. Let’s all hope he’s back in full flow and at a crucial time of the season as well. For this game, he took the honours though not without some support from the likes of Wilshire and Chamakh.
* Chamakh (7/10) - Did his curriculum vitae alot of good with his tenth goal for us this season. He is a very ahndy presence in front of goal and his consistency and calmness is a big relief from the uncertainties we've endured these seasons past with Robin Van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner.
Substitutes
* Denilson (5/10) - Came on for Rosicky to relieve the 'elder-statesman'. It was his blocked shot that allowed Chamakh to set up the clincher that Wilshire scored.
* Gibbs ( 6/10) - Came on for Nasri and helped pep up the attack., Was surprised to see him plonked upfront rather than his usual defensive duties but it is a versatility that served u well in this case.
* Djourou (3/10) - Disregdar the low ratings. He was on the pitch for only the injury time.
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