Giroud ‘at top of his game’, says Wenger

And Giroud says he plans to keep hitting the target in Arsenal’s increasingly convincing Premier League title push after his “fantastic” week concluded on Sunday with another goal that helped the Gunners back to the top of the table.

“Sometimes, he’s frustrated that he doesn’t get the same balls back but he’s a very important link in our game”, he said. “He’s questioned some times, but the numbers get people to realise that he’s a quality player”.

Aside from the obvious man-management skills and individual influence that Ferguson had, the change in style of play, scouting and overall preparation for the players that naturally occurs when a new manager comes in has disrupted the club’s progress.

Following their midweek heroics in Greece, Arsenal went into the game at Villa Park in confident mode.

Arsenal could curse its luck, but past year the Gunners whooped for joy when they were drawn against Monaco.

Aston Villa boss Remi Garde was refreshingly honest in admitting to BBC Sport that Arsenal were the better side and fully deserved their win, but rued the manner in which his side fell apart in the first half.

Walcott was brought down by Alan Hutton for Arsenal’s opener as Olivier Giroud converted the eighth-minute penalty, before Aaron Ramsey’s breakaway goal sealed victory.

“We can still be safe but we are coming into a period where we have to win”.

The Foxes could regain top spot if they beat Chelsea on Monday but with Manchester United losing at Bournemouth and City struggling to find a rhythm, the Gunners have the title advantage. A run of five games that has yielded just two points, with arguably only one fixture considered “winnable'”.

“From when we signed him, we all knew how good he was [after] what he achieved at Chelsea”, Walcott told Arsenal Player.

“To go down, it is not the wish of anyone, but if we are in the Championship and the club still wants me, I will start again with Villa.”

“We’re sitting top of the Premier League, come February-March we’ll have some players back and it would be great to take them on with our full-strength side”. “I’m convinced the fans will enjoy the football. You know if you are consistent then you have a chance”.

“That’s my target now”, Ramsey said when asked if he wanted to play more centrally. It looked like it was the same old Arsenal when they were dropping points after establishing leads like Norwich and West Brom but suddenly those two fixtures have been evened out with two rather ugly matches in Sunderland and Aston Villa. “That’s what you’re looking for and I’m not seeing it from the Villa players”.