Partey's Party Leads to Powerful Win

Coming off a lacklustre game against Palace in which Arsenal were very lucky to get a point, the Gunners came out firing today. A brilliant blitz from the boys in red saw Arteta walk out of the Emirates with all 3 points comfortably in the bag against Emi Martinez and the rest of Aston Villa.

Mikel Arteta – 8

Brilliant. He lined the team up in a 4-4-2 and it worked brilliantly. We were able to control the ball well and the attack was much more structured. Returning to a front 2 of Lacazette and Aubameyang worked wonders and could definitely be an option in the near future. Defensively, Arteta did well to finally conquer the 3-5-2 formation, which he struggled against so much vs Chelsea. Top job from the gaffer.

Aaron Ramsdale – 7.5

Another brilliant performance. He didn’t have the most work to do throughout the game but as always, his distribution was top tier and he commanded the defence well. Unlucky to concede but there is nothing that anyone can do when a ball is hit that sweetly. Produced a great save to deny Danny Ings from opening the Villa tally too.

Nuno Tavares – 7.5

There is a reason we brought him into the club and today he showed us that exact reason. He provided the perfect back-up option to Tierney. His blistering pace was on display many times as he bombed up the wing. He showed off his strength when he won the ball plenty of times, whilst maintain Tierney’s offensive presence at the same time. A top performance from him.

Ben White – 8

A stunning performance from White again. Solid in the air and produced a brilliant block to stop Danny Ings from scoring only 6 yards from goal. Only switched off briefly towards the end of the game but luckily Ollie Watkins was unable to turn it home. Unlucky not to get the clean sheet.

Gabriel – 8

Gabriel was classy too. Paired up with White they are producing a brilliant streak of performances. Today Gabriel helped completely shut out the Villa offence in the first half and was consistently dominant throughout the entirety of the game.

Takehiro Tomiyasu – 8

He was everywhere. Never let a man go unnoticed or unmarked down his side of the pitch yet at the same time was electric when going forward. Another brilliant performance in a red shirt.

Thomas Partey – 8.5

He scored! After just over 40 games and just under 50 shots, Thomas Partey finally got on the score sheet. He was an absolute nightmare from set pieces for the Villa defence, heading home to open the scoring off a corner. Controlled the ball brilliantly for the rest of the game, rounding off a great showing.

Albert Sambi Lokonga – 7.5

At times he seemed slightly lacklustre but all in all he did well to combine with Partey in the middle of the park. He was good in possession and looked to play quite dangerous through balls in behind the Villa defence, which is encouraging to see.

Emile Smith-Rowe – 8.5

THE SMITH. What a player. Arteta put him back out at LM and just like his previous matches there, he was absolutely brilliant. An assist and a (slightly scuffed) goal, he took the game by storm and was electrifying going forward in attack. The LM role suits him perfectly.

Bukayo Saka – 7.5

Saka didn’t have the biggest of games, yet he did still play his role well. Picked up the ball and always wanted to go forward and take the game to the Villa defence. A good performance overall, apart from his poor attempt at finishing a beautiful Smith-Rowe square ball.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 8.5

Aubame who? Aubame what? AubameBLOODCLARTyang!!! He has only gone and done it again. So consistent recently and so solid leading the lines. The missed penalty doesn’t mean much if you score the tap in so we will let him off the hook there. Another brilliant performance as he regains his form.

Alexandre Lacazette – 8

He played brilliantly as well. I talked about whether he should start in the last post (click here) and he did exactly what I thought he would when he started – made a difference. He was brilliant in link-up play and brilliant in going forward in general. His ability to shift his body and win the penalty is the mark of a great striker. He gave everything he possibly could for 65 minutes and it showed. I would love to see him up top again with Aubameyang vs Leicester.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Martin Odegaard – 6

Didn’t notice him much for the time that he was on the pitch.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 6.5

Did decently to withstand the late Villa surge.

Gabriel Martinelli – 6

Wasn’t on long enough to really make an impact.