Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal: Thierry Henry hails performance of Olivier Giroud

The Germany worldwide made his 13th assist of the Premier League season so far after Ozil unselfishly teed up Aaron Ramsey for the north London side’s second goal in a 2-0 win at Aston Villa.

Leicester, now one point behind alongside Manchester City, can go back to the top if they beat Chelsea on Monday before Arsenal and Manchester City, the two favourites for the title according to British bookmakers, meet at the Emirates Stadium on December 21. “We have eight days to prepare and it will be an interesting one, but we can at least recover first and prepare well”. We want to beat City at home.

It took an age for referee Kevin Friend to point to the spot but when he did Giroud sent Brad Guzan the wrong way for his 50th league goal for Arsenal.

And, after qualifying for the Champions League last 16 in Greece last week, boss Wenger believes a week off will do wonders for the Gunners.

Arsene Wenger has called for Olivier Giroud to get the credit he deserves after the striker fired Arsenal to the top of the Barclays Premier League.

He said: “I believe he’s at the top of his game”. “He’s questioned some times, but the numbers get people to realise that he’s a quality player”. “We spent a lot of energy away in the Champions League on Wednesday, but found the resources to win again here today (Yesterday), in another away match”.

“But at the end I can live with it. This could prove to be a very special moment for us in the season to strike back against such a team”. “Mentally he is very strong”.

Jack Grealish returned to action for Villa, who improved after the break but wasted a number of good chances.

Aston Villa manager Remi Garde said: “I know there is a big expectation at home but we were playing the best team now in England”. We know that. I see that more as an opportunity than a problem.

It meant unbridled joy for Bournemouth, the Premier League newcomers who have an annual turnover 40 times smaller than United’s.

“It’s not completely a lost cause yet”. Now we have games that we have to win against direct opponents. Every year we have seen teams survive that, before Christmas, everyone was saying they had absolutely no chance.

He said: “We can still be safe but we are coming into a period where we have to win. I know that in football you can change things with work and concentration”.

Jordan Amavi has been the undoubted highlight, but he is now out of action through injury, whilst Jordan Ayew is starting to show his ability as a Premier League player.

That 16-match run, which included Arsenal’s 3-0 win past year, rarely looked in doubt once the Gunners grabbed an eighth minute lead.