Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal: 5 Talking Points

“But he’s a very efficient and an important player for this team”.

Not only did Francis Coquelin establish his credentials as a top-flight holding-midfielder less than a month after being recalled from a loan deal at Charlton Athletic, the Spain playmaker Santi Cazorla also produced arguably his finest ever performance in an Arsenal shirt playing at the base of the midfield.

Arsene Wenger must decide with his coaching staffs what Arsenal can realistically win this season and if the squad needs strengthening this January to achieve it.

“Two great results this week!”

The German World Cup victor has been one of the stars of the Premier League season so far, but it appears he hasn’t done enough to win the admiration of Moyes, who was a Sky Sports pundit for Arsenal’s match against Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Ramsey’s strong challenge on Idrissa Gana set the visitors up on the counter attack and Walcott fed Ozil to dummy and race clean through.

He may not have gotten off to the best of starts, but if Aston Villa get relegated, Remi Garde is going to lead the resurgence in the Championship.

Cech claimed Carlos Sanchez’s 30-yard strike and Jordan Veretout shot over before Gestede glanced a header wide.

Koscielny commanded Arsenal from the back and bravely blocked three goalbound efforts.

It was Giroud’s 11th goal in his last 13 appearances and his 27th this calender year. The French forward has received plenty of criticism since the start of the season, but is now enjoying a decent spell in front of goal.

Kelechi Iheanacho’s fortuitous stoppage-time goal had earlier given Manchester City a 2-1 win over managerless Swansea City that sent Manuel Pellegrini’s side above former leaders Leicester on goal difference.

“We keep the ball well and play our game, we like to dominate the game but sometimes we need to be more incisive in the game”.

“He has improved technically, his link play is better and when we have the option to go for long balls he is always a very interesting option”.

“[He does not get so much praise] because he does not have electric pace”. Arsenal have in recent years gained a reputation for not turning up in big games and then as soon as we put that right it was the opposite, that Arsenal failed when we were expected to roll teams over.

Garde left Jack Grealish on the bench despite ending his exile in training with the Under 21’s as punishment for being photographed in a Manchester nightclub following Villa’s 4-0 defeat at Everton. Players have no choice on who is chosen.

Aston Villa have had a poor campaign in the Premier League after a club-record 14-match winless run.

“I believe there are a lot more teams now capable of taking points off each other. We are struggling, I still haven’t won a game and I’m very frustrated but I know in football you can change things with work”.

The new manager needs to settle on a back four quickly and hope they can somehow stem the tide of goals against them.