Wenger eyes recovery before crunch City clash

Silky Arsenal eased to a comfortable 2-0 win at Aston Villa to soar to the Premier League summit and leave their hapless opponents rooted to the bottom while Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool dropped points on Sunday.

But they face a massive clash at home to Manchester City next Monday night and Wenger admits it’s all getting a bit tasty.

In this context the Guardian’s tactics columnist Michael Cox described Ramsey as “one of the few” Premier League footballers “who can reasonably be described as a true box-to-box midfielder”. They haven’t won in 14 PL matches. Arsenal didn’t even need to get into top gear to win.

The returning Theo Walcott, in for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, outpaced Alan Hutton on the right and tangled with the Scotland global in the area.

After being booed off at halftime, Garde’s men huffed and puffed a little more convincingly after the break, Scott Sinclair heading over and Leandro Bacuna curling one close as Arsenal dozed, content to let the dismal home side continue to meander in possession. He then squared to Ramsey, who had made up the ground, to tap past the helpless Guzan.

“But I was happy with the way we reacted in the second half after making the worst possible start by going behind inside 10 minutes in such a game”.

Scott Sinclair then wasted a golden chance on 57 minutes when he planted an unmarked header over from six yards. “They will be two great games”. Thanks to all the travelling fans.

The win sees Arsenal in second spot on 33 points as Remi Garde’s Villa remained at the foot of the standings having failed to salute since opening day.

The supporters inside Villa Park were boosted by a bright start from their side when Scott Sinclair sent a powerful early strike straight at Petr Cech.

Another factor for the Gunners was the performance of Ramsey and Giroud.

The Gunners doubled their lead when Aaron Ramsey finished off a trademark passing move with a tap in and another Mesut Özil assist.

With their first real attack the Gunners were awarded a penalty, but it was referee Kevin Friend’s actions that caused some controversy.

Aston Villa are willing to listen to offers for out-of-form striker Gabriel Agbonlahor when the transfer window opens in January.

What manager Arsene Wenger described as a “great week” for Arsenal had the flawless conclusion when rivals Spurs stalled in pursuit, their long unbeaten run ending in a 2-1 defeat by Newcastle United with a last-gasp Ayoze Perez goal.

Arsenal further enhanced their title credentials with a no-fuss 2-0 win over Aston Villa on the weekend.

Garde, five games into his Villa spell and still winless, knows what is expected of him but doesn’t see the pressure as being any different from his fellow Premier League bosses.