ARSENE Wenger revealed that there was a method in his madness of playing Aaron Ramsey out of position after the Welsh midfielder put in a starring role during Arsenal’s 2-0 victory against Aston Villa this afternoon (Sunday).
Advertisement
Villa manager Remi Garde had been hoping to get one over his former mentor Wenger, who signed him as a player at Arsenal, but his team remain eight points adrift of safety at the foot of the table.
Jack Grealish – back in Villa’s squad after being dropped for two games when he was pictured partying following last month’s 4-0 defeat at Everton – replaced Gana but Arsenal nearly added a third in the closing 10 minutes.
“We spent a lot of energy away in the Champions League on Wednesday but found the resources to win again here today, in another away match”.
Liverpool’s challenge under Juergen Klopp also stuttered before they escaped with a 2-2 draw at home to West Bromwich Albion thanks to a deflected stoppage time Divock Origi effort and the players went to celebrate in front of the Anfield Kop.
A landmark 50th Premier League goal from Olivier Giroud, a penalty converted four days after his Champions League hat-trick against Olympiakos, swiftly brought more gloom to Villa Park after eight minutes.
“It has been a great week for us, but don’t worry, we’ve had some bad ones too, so this balances it”, Wenger said. We have been hit hard by injuries this season but it gives players the opportunities to take. “He has improved, his link play is better and when we have the option for a long ball he is a very interesting option”. “He is also mentally very strong”.
“I knew that Villa were fighting for survival, so it was important to take the lead against a team low in confidence”.
Recording such outstanding figures in both respects is extremely rare, and Ramsey was aware of this statistical peculiarity, keeping an eye on the numbers fed to him by Arsenal’s backroom staff, keen to maintain high standards, as well as being aware of his numbers involving distance covered.
“If they don’t close down, they’re asking top-class players to pop the ball around them”.
The Foxes though are next in action on Monday against Chelsea and can reclaim top spot. Medically, we think – my people think, he will not be ready [for Manchester City] but Alexis being Alexis, you never know.
It meant unbridled joy for Bournemouth, the Premier League newcomers who have an annual turnover 40 times smaller than United’s.
The Welshman has been shoved out to the right wing for much of this season but with a chance to impress he made and scored Arsenal’s second in their win over Aston Villa.
Advertisement
He told reporters: “It’s a big game, we want to win at home and beat City at home”.
