Arsenal 3-1 Aston Villa
by Layth Yousif
at Ashburton Grove

Arsenal beat Aston Villa 3-1 with a convincing display of firepower at an atmospheric Arsenal stadium on Friday evening. 

In an adventurous and high-tempo performance full of energy, verve, creativity and commitment, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners blew away the tepid visitors to deliver what was arguably the best performance under his management. 

On an entertaining night featuring many excellent performances from the north Londoners, who opted for a 4-4-2 formation – as lively as they were sluggish during the 2-2 draw with Crystal Place four days previously – former academy graduate starlet Emile Smith Rowe shone. 

A goal from Thomas Partey in the 23rd minute, his first in a Gunners shirt, deservedly put the home side ahead after the influential midfielder had earlier thudded the woodwork. 

And at the end of an opening 45 minutes that the home side had dominated, Arsenal were awarded a penalty by referee Craig Pawson. The official changed his mind after a long VAR review for a Matt Targett foul on Alexandre Lacazette that he had initially waved away.  

With a matter of seconds remaining in the half, captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored from the rebound after Emi Martinez saved his initial spot kick.  

The boos former Arsenal keeper Martinez received during the game were noticeable, with the home support annoyed at what they perceived to be his constant disparaging references to the club after moving to Villa Park in the summer of 2020. 

The outstanding Smith Rowe made it 3-0 after the break with a low drive off the post via a slight deflection off Tyrone Mings,  fed by an exquisite through-ball from Aubameyang.  

Over the summer, Villa saw two low bids for Arsenal’s rising star emphatically turned down, with Arteta insisting after the game that he had never been  concerned that Smith Rowe would leave the Emirates for the west Midlands.

Arteta preferred to hail his young tyro, saying: “Emile was terrific. He’s scoring goals, which we’re demanding him to do, because he’s capable of doing it. I think it’s more about the team today.

“That should be a habit, and he should demand that in his game, because he’s capable of doing it. I’m pleased he’s developing that. He still needs to develop more in other areas. 

“The other night he wasn’t 100 per cent fit, but he made a step forward and wanted to play with a difficult injury that he had. He wasn’t complaining, he was just looking forward.”

Arteta also hinted at some lifestyle changes the 22-year-old had made, adding: “He’s changed the way he’s living a little bit as well, and some habits that he had. He’s been superb.” 

There was time for a late goal from Villa substitute Jacob Ramsey, who fired past Arsenal’s otherwise excellent keeper Aaron Ramsdale, but a consolation was all it was as the Gunners closed out an excellent victory. 

VIlla boss Dean Smith’s 3-4-1-2 formation had turned out to be a tactical straitjacket, with former Arsenal target Emi Buendia anonymous in a central position, stationed behind an ineffective top two of Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins, with Villa unable to create yet, equally, failing to assert their presence, as Arsenal dominated. 

The result sees the Gunners move into the top half of the table, up to ninth, with a haul of 14 points from their last six games after losing three dreadful defeats on the bounce in August;  for Villa, defeat made it a trio of consecutive losses.

No wonder Villa boss Smith admitted afterwards: “We let ourselves down.” 

Arsenal host Leeds on Tuesday with a place in the quarter-final of the League Cup at stake.