Thursday, March 28, 2024

Match Report: Ozil Shines As Arsenal Thump Villa

Mesut Ozil shone as Arsenal scored three goals in four first half minutes, to secure a much needed away win.

Arsenals most expensive player had been heavily criticised recently, but he put in the sort of performance you’d expect of a World Cup Winner at Villa Park.

Ozil was played in his desired number 10 role and rewarded Arsene Wenger for selecting him there with a goal and an assist in a convincing win.

Arsenal didn’t start the game very brightly, Ramsey kept giving the ball away in midfield and several times long diagonal passes were over hit.

Villa started surprisingly brightly, Paul Lambert admitted before the game that Nathan Baker, Darren bent and Ashley Westwood were all sent home with illness, while a couple of his staff were also under the weather.  Despite this Lambert would have been pleased with what he saw early on.

Villa looked very dangerous on the break and Gabby Agbonlahor offered them an excellent outlet with his pace and hold-up play.

The hosts should have taken the lead mid way through the first half; Tom Cleverly delivered an excellent free kick which found its way to Ciaran Clark at the back post. Clark nodded straight at Szczeney who did excellently to made himself big, but the Villa defender should have scored.

In the 33rd minute Arsenal punished Villa for missing their chance, Danny Welbeck sliding a ball through for Ozil who took a touch before calmly stroking it past Brad Guzan.

A minute later, The Gunners doubled their lead. Ramsey passed the ball wide to Ozil who crossed perfectly between the Guzan and his defence and Welbeck crashed the ball into the roof of the net from a few yards out.

The home defence was all over the place and with Arsenal attacking the ball broke wide to Kerion Gibbs. His shot-come -cross was poked into his own net at the far post by Aly Cissokho, as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was breathing down his neck hoping for a tap in.

Ozil was popping up everywhere; keeping the ball moving, coming deep to start attacks and demanding the ball at every opportunity. This sort of desire to run with and receive the ball has left Ozil’s game of late, but Arsenal fans will be delighted with what they saw today.

The second half came and went with very little incident. Villa lost all interest and it was like a training game for The Gunners.

Two other Arsenal players deserve a special mention but for very different reasons. Firstly Aaron Ramsey for potentially his worst performance for the club, topped off by trying a back pass which went out for a corner.

In contrast, Welbeck scoring his first League goal for the club will give him confidence and get people off his back.

With Arsenal’s next league games against London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea, Arsenal fans will be praying Ozil continues playing his number 10 role and Welbeck keeps his shooting boots on.

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