For the second time this season Arsenal were left to rue a string of missed chances as we lost to Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.
In the first half we were all over them. Saka had Digne on toast and Odegaard found him in behind with a series of balls, none of which we made the most of. On the other side, Trossard played in Havertz but his shot was blocked, and the pair interchanged well without creating enough clear chances.
Havertz was deployed deeper than we have seen recently, starting in midfield behind Jesus in the striker’s role. He had license to run beyond our feisty Brazilian, and Konsa was unsure whether to stay with Trossard on the wing or follow Kai’s clever runs. However, the German’s lack of pace shone through a few times when he couldn’t get away from the rapid Douglas Costa whose speed got him back in position to make some important blocks and tackles.
We played one beautiful, sweeping move which ended with a free header for Jesus at the back post. He headed it down and wide. I love him as a player, but today he highlighted why there has been clamour for a striker; like Havertz, he can score goals, but he is not clinical in front of goal.
We outplayed them comfortably for the whole half. There were moments when Trossard and Jesus sprinted back to nick balls off the toes of Villa attackers, which helped keep our stranglehold on the game.
They had one good chance when Gabriel sprayed an out ball into Zinchenko’s back and Watkins ran through on goal before hitting the inside of the post. It was a let-off, as we could have gone in a goal down which would have been wildly unfair but we had not capitalised on a lot of excellent football. Had we done the same against Bayern, I’d expect us to be losing.
Immediately though we fashioned our best chance, Trossard hitting a shot from 5 yards out that allowed Martinez to make a save when there was a lot the goal available where he would not have reached it. However, unlike some of our other options, Trossard is very good in front of goal, and no-one can score them all, so I don’t want to go in on him for missing this one. Unfortunately though, Captain Hindsight reckons if he’d scored it then we’d have won the match.
I’m sure many of us were worried at half-time that we had been so profligate but the team have given us so much reason to be optimistic there was no need to be unduly worried at half-time. Or was there?
Villa improved a lot in the second half. They calmed down and strung some passes together. We stopped building through midfield, and tried to play longer passes forward, drying up much of the possession in their half that Odegaard had used so well in the first period.
Saka continued to get fouled. David Coote continued to give marginal calls to Villa and yellow cards only to our players. Havertz got one for a reason I could not tell you. I didn’t see anything worthy of a foul, or him get the card, and then a caption came up telling me he had a yellow. Douglas Costa wildly high kicked Odegaard in the chest with a swing that was never going to get the ball. It was not malicious but it was daft. David Coote didn’t think it was worth a yellow. There are many things I do not think David Coote’s refereeing is worth.
Zanniolo fouled, faked and harried his way round the pitch. When not being a petulant tit, he did some good stuff with the ball, and had an excellent second half until he got subbed, seemingly with a slight injury.
Villa had not created lots but as the game began to get tense and both managers made subs, they began to exert some pressure. We put on Tomi, Gabigol, ESR and Jorginho for Odegaard, Jesus, Trossard and White. Benjamin looked like he might have had a little niggle. Let’s hope it is nothing serious.
The crowd tried to get behind the team but even on TV the nerves were becoming palpable.
We defended a few corners but our attacking output had dried up. We really needed to steady the ship in midfield. Much like a European tie, the key was not to concede…
On 84 minutes, we conceded.
It was a crap goal that I don’t want to rewatch to describe it to you. We should have cleared it. Then we should have stopped the cross at source or in the box. We did none of those things and it went through to Bailey, who slotted it in at the back post.
A couple of minutes later and it was truly game over. Watkins ran through, onside, as he was in his own half when the ball was played, and we left him acres to run into. ESR did a decent job tracking back but Watkins did well to hold him off and finish beautifully over Raya, who went down early, although it was the quality of the finish that made the goal, not what the keeper did. Watkins is a player I like a lot. It was a hugely well-taken goal after we had kept him quiet all game. It rather showed us what we’d missed.
We huffed and puffed a bit, bringing Eddie on for an airing, but nothing came of eight minutes of extra time and Coote put us out of our misery.
So, on a day when Poo also lost, what to make of a result that puts City top?
Well, personally, after a run of ten wins and a draw at the champions, I did not expect us win another seven in a row as we swept to the title. It just doesn’t work like that.
Sure, we all wanted the win today, and if we’d finished better in the first half then it was there for us. However, there are always unexpected results at this stage of the season. The pressure does funny things to players and teams. City might win their remaining games and win the league. If they do, then fair enough (obviously I am not suggesting there is anything fair about what City do), sometimes other teams play well, get good results, and we don’t control that.
I would be surprised if they don’t drop more points though. And I quite fancy us to pick up points whilst the pressure is on City. Both us and Pool have lasted barely a week at the top since we reached the summit. Let City play with the pressure whilst we follow in their slipstream. We just need to put it behind us, focus on our performances and ensure we are ready to pounce if they slip up.
All is far from lost. There are plenty of important games still to play.
Bayern are next and a chance to put ourselves three games away from being European Champions.
We are just where we have dreamed of being for years. No-one said it would be easy, but we need to keep the faith – there aren’t any fat ladies singing just yet.
Until next time ‘holics.
Nice one, Dino. Let’s keep our heads, as desperately disappointed as we are.
I thought that Arteta made selection mistakes yesterday. I hate to say it but I fear we have now outgrown the unreliable Zinchenko and perma-injured Jesus. They raised us up a couple of levels when they joined and were a beacon to the rest of the squad in terms of what is required to be genuinely competitive. Now I fear we need to replace them in order to maintain our level and push on. Zinchenko is an utter liability at the back and not sufficiently trusted to hold a position in midfield outright. Jesus to my mind is still clearly not right. He had no sprint in him yesterday at all. I love them both but sentiment has now run its course for me. For Arteta to start these two yesterday was I think the key to us losing the game. He’s still learning as well so it’s not the end of the world. At the same time, maybe he was forced into them by underlying injury issues with others. He knows far more than we ever will.
Still looking forward to Munich but it’s going to be hard to beat a team which rested 7 players at the weekend and still won, even with Coman, Gnabry (possibly) and Davies out.
Bang on the money. A very disappointing second half and equally disappointing result but hopefully not fatal.
A very fair summary.
Having cleared a corner only for Zinchenko to lose the ball on the edge of the box when he was favourite to win it sums him up for me. A promising counter attack turned into a shot for them that nearly went in.
We’re still evolving in my book and like last season, things should become clearer in the Summer with a few players.
Someone else made this point. What is not very helpful is our inability to rotate properly. The likes of Partey, Viera, Esr, Tomi, Eddie, etc. should be providing much more than they do, otherwise there is no benefit to a fully fit squad.
Great work, GSD.
As always, very readable, enjoyable – even in defeat – and barbs directed when and where required.
Very fair summary too. Whatever happens from here we, and Liverpool to be honest, have done incredibly well to be a mere two points behind Man Cheaty at this stage of the season.
Like all spoilt brats, City fans don’t even appreciate what they’ve bought. Apparently they were all filing out of the Emptihad after the third of their five goals against Luton.
I’m going to pay you a compliment Dino that will mean a lot to you. One of the reasons 8 gravitated to Goonerholic was because Dave made rational sense of triumph and particularly disappointment. You’ve done exactly the same here with levelheaded news and balance .
I had to endure a ver6 frustrating tube and train ride home with a group of wildly overreacting Gooners who were blaming Arteta for all sorts of things, crucifying Zinchenko , Raya and even Saka.
I was bitterly disappointed but I thought we were fine in the first half and Odegaard was magnificent. It underlined why a quick, mobile , ruthless striker would improve our side significantly. They had one and he was excellent and we had two fine players who aren’t clinical finishers and lack pace . I’m also a bit worried that Martinelli is far from fit- he is very subdued .
Hindsight ?-I would have started Partey and maybe ESR as Declan is showing signs of tiredness ( understandably). Upfront we haven’t got the nuclear option we need. But keep the faith . Villa are a fine side and we are capable of bouncing back although we look very tired. I think Mikel needs to rotate more but he knows the players and their fitness better than I do,
Cheers GSD. I’m trying to forget this match, at least the second half that was terrible.
C100 from the previous, yeah I saw that banner (though couldn’t see the small characters from my seat and forgot to take a photo, so thanks for it!) and wondered if it was an official GH one or completely unrelated. Nice one!
Dino,
I meant views not news but they were levelheaded and sensible and showed the sentiment of a proper supporter
Ollie at 6, Its nothing to do with anyone on here, though I wish we’d thought of it. I’ve asked on Twitter if anyone knows which kind soul put it up but no response yet. Here it is again.
As to the football, I’m in my normal post loss crouch, so won’t be talking about it much.
I did wonder if this might be our Derby 89 moment.
GSD, I am very remiss in not saying well done on the match report. Not an easy task and one one I would have relished.
Did anyone find out why Havertz was booked? Does that mean he misses the next two games on the totting up rule?
Commiserations all round…disappointed..yes…surprised..well not really…not being a smart-arse, just a realist…
Still dont like Raya
Same for Zinchenko…works sometimes…but more often than not recently…i like a left back…Kieran Tierney comes to mind..though MA (being the boss, disagrees)
Unleash the troops…and its Eddie…please…
Martinelli…a favourite but its clear he ain’t right
Anyway, i live in hope for a win against THEM on Thu 0425 KO, here…and just as a mild consolation, its fast approaching St Totteringham’s Day…
COYG & lets keep the faith
Good fair summary, GSD. That was a game that really should have been done and dusted by half time based on the chances that Arsenal (mostly MO) created. On days when Havertz ability to control the ball on a pacey run is coupled with Jesus tendency to be King Midas in reverse in front of goal both Saka and Trossard can usually be relied upon to capitalise. Unfortunately that didn’t happen yesterday.
I felt as early as ten minutes into the second half that the tide had turned to such an extent that substitutions would be worthwhile, confidence was visibly slipping, perhaps as a consequence of tiring legs post-Bayern. The defensive lapses were really disappointing, and very uncharacteristic.
We’re only two points off the lead and, I think would have bitten the proverbial hand off to have been offered that on day one, at this stage of the season. All very much to play for. I’d like to see Thomas Partey given the opportunity to show what he can contribute in this final phase of his Arsenal career.
Mystery of the banner solved! These guys are the dogs for doing this.
https://x.com/the_cannon/status/1779832220871532975?s=61&t=cVFjCyGkt4y-Ne45LtfqkQ
Techies, any room for this on the site?
https://x.com/the_cannon/status/1779834066503684433?s=61&t=cVFjCyGkt4y-Ne45LtfqkQ
Thanks GSD, I didn’t see this one as I was on the flight back to Japan and it was a very unpleasant surprise when I got off. Anyway, your report has given me a good sense of a game I really don’t want to watch now I am home. As you and others have said, all still to play for.
Cheers GSD, a tough job done expertly. A fair and balanced report about a disappointing game.
However disappointing is this result no cause for panic. It’s a tough learning courve even Guardiola had to learn how to win the PL backed with all the financial support of the earth. This Arsenal team is a beauty to watch and giving us so much pleasure. It is a good time to be a gooner.
Raya is just not convincing, he is almost always worried in the big games. He overcommited himself against Bayern and was all over the pitch against Villa as well.
As 1@CER and 3@SP pointed out the team selection didn’t help us. But of’course if could finish our chances in the first half…
COYG
Thank you GSD for an excellent report on a performance and result that were so difficult to swallow that I greatly admire your ability to express such a balanced perspective within such a brief time after the final whistle. It must not have been an easy job but you did very well.
My thoughts as I watched our second half performance were that Arsenal looked like a tired team lacking in imagination to counter the front-footed approach of Villa. Unai Emery’s tactics were spot on, and Mikel has to have the team ready for others who will try similar. Well done Villa but what happened to our Arsenal? Bounce-back ability is now the highest priority and as you say, with the right perspective the players can demonstrate that our season is far from over. This is my first effort at expressing my thoughts and I’ve had a night’s sleep, but I don’t want this to snowball as it did last year. Let’s see the players stand up and be counted in every remaining match, and the return of our Arsenal in the guise we have been expecting them to finish the season.
Great detective work C 100
I’m delighted to see Dave’s name and work living on for all Arsenal fans to see. He would be thrilled but would also typically share the credit with everyone else on the site .
I think the banner is at the North Bank Upper ? That’s why I haven’t seen it
I think these two (Sam, well known to Ollie) and Ed (or Eamon) Quigly, known to Bath, were old friends of Dave. Others may know them. I’m not aware if they read this blog. Yes North Bank Upper, overlooking blocks 5 and 6. I first saw it (from block 7) at the Bayern game.
As reported: “It is worth noting that Kevin De Bruyne missed out against Real Madrid after puking just before the match. It was believed that it was due to the Belgian eating something at the team hotel.”
Just for the sake of full disclosure. 🤣
Very fine and balanced summation GSD
Jorghi has had to start too many games .
He cannot play 3 games in a week, it’s too much physically, and having started against Brighton and Bayern, it was always a possibility that he wasn’t going to be lining up against Villa.
With Partey still not fit to start, Dec has had to be the beast of burden in midfield and has had hardly any rest.
He was definitely off the pace on Sunday.
The only option was to drop Havertz back into a midfield role, which broke the axis of our long unbeaten run in the league.
Having said that, as others have alluded to, we still had enough chances to have the game in our hands at half time.
The 2nd half was poor by our standards and we conceded 2 late goals to cook our Goose.
Having been protected for so long by our magnificent defence, I do hope Raya’s indecison, positioning, and general nervousness against Bayern, which seemed to affect the boys from the moment the first goal went in, isn’t going to derail our run in.
If the defenders don’t know what the Keeper is going to do from one minute to the next, it spreads like a virus.
We’ve just given up 4 goals in 2 games, and in truth it could have easily been 6 or more.
We will find out more about the intestinal fortitude and belief of this young Arsenal side in Munich on Wednesday night, and against Wolves on Saturday.
I do feel we have overachieved again this season, and i have always thought those 2 damaging defeats late in December would come back to haunt us.
I still hope i am wrong in that regard.
tough tough ask, gsd. so well answered. thank you for distilling the spirit of goonerholic in your piece.
not much to say that hasn’t been said. we weren’t horrible, but emery has now beaten ma8 3 times, iirc. while i think mikel is, overall, doing more with arsenal than emery could have, emery is showing himself to be no slouch. check out this 442 piece; it’s a tough watch, but clearly there are some things it points to that we can improve, especially in-game. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ByGHq6atF6I
onwards!
Thanks GSD for a well composed review. Your tone was commendable in view of the actual match itself. On the positive side we are still in contention for both the league and Big Ears. The big question is was it a blip or are we about to hit a brick wall again?
Team selection to the uninitiated seemed wanting but assume Arteta assessed the fitness levels and chose accordingly. Let’s hope we can prove the doubters wrong starting in Munich.
Cheers all.
Crap result, but it’s the madness of trying to dethrone City that one loss this year could be fatal. Some people in other places seem to be very angry we lost. I’d suggest that enmity would be more fairly aimed at City’s financial policies and the administration which has allowed them to flourish.
I hope we beat them this year, but that would be all the more remarkable an achievement with the odds skewed so far against us.
I don’t expect us to crumble though. I think this loss may put a real fire in the players’ bellies before Bayern, as they will all be aware of the slippery slope that you step onto when a one game blip becomes a two game pattern…
Cheers GSD!
Sam and Ed Quigley are both really good lads. Saw Sam in The Swimmer after Sheffield Utd game this season. Ed has moved out of Holloway to the wilds of Lincolnshire (I think), so although he still attends regularly, haven’t seen him this season.
Yeah, Ed’s now in Buxton (my geography not being good enough, had to look up which county, Derbyshire, apparently). Saw him after a match this season, but can’t remember which.
Cheers Countryman, Esso and Ollie.
I don’t know Sam and Ed but they’ve played a blinder and really done Dave proud. Very well done. If they ever pop in here then there’s drinks on the bar for them and if I meet them in a pub then the same applies!
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