“What we need is some backup to make sure we have a guy that can hold the fort if Flamini gets injured”, Henry is quoted as saying by Sky Sports. Manchester United might be in the top four, but they aren’t playing great football while Chelsea have had a horrendous season thus far. “Medically, we think he will not be ready, but Sanchez being Sanchez, you never know”, he added.
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As title-chasing Arsenal completed back-to-back wins easily, it took Sunday’s other Premier League games to provide a double-dose of late drama.
Villa remains dead last in the Premier League, eight goals shy of safety and holding the worst goal differential in the league (minus-17). But over the last few games, they’ve gone on another good run.
The ominous thing for the rest of the league is that this Arsenal side no longer looks like an “Arsenal” side.
The returning Theo Walcott, in for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, outpaced Alan Hutton on the right and tangled with the Scotland worldwide in the area.
Olivier Giroud converted what appeared to be a harshly awarded penalty at Villa Park in the eighth minute for his 50th league goal for the north London side.
Leandro Bacuna ballooned over after goalkeeper Petr Cech flapped at a cross but Arsenal was comfortable and mostly toyed with its hosts.
Arsenal were looking threatening every time they ventured into Villa territory and both Laurent Koscielny and Joel Campbell were only inches away from getting on the end of menacing crosses as the home side’s defence struggled to contain the visitors.
Cech claimed Carlos Sanchez’s 30-yard strike and Jordan Veretout shot over before Gestede glanced a header wide. The first half was disappointing.
“Sometimes a point deserved in the right way is more important”. They are more powerful, more direct and have a greater number of goalscorers in their team than the Villans. Thanks to all the travelling fans.
His tackle deep in his own half set up Arsenal’s second – which he scored – to seal the points against Villa and send Arsenal top.
Giroud went close to giving Arsenal the comfort of a two-goal cushion when he flicked Mesut Ozil’s free-kick beyond the advancing Guzan, but Rudy Gestede came to Villa’s rescue with a last-ditch clearance.
And their misery was compounded by a typical Arsenal counter-attacking goal, which was finished off by man-of-the-match Aaron Ramsey after Joleon Lescott found himself three-on-one with the Gunners’ attack. The England striker’s defence splitting pass was latched onto by Özil. The players are isolated; they’re running away, all you can see is backsides.
Ex-Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen believes his former club can win the Premier League title this season because of the influence of manager Arsene Wenger.
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Villa look to be heading to the Championship, and Remi Garde is going with them.
