Arsenal finally show some mental strength: Villa thoughts.

What a difference a win makes.

I've woken up this Sunday Morning feeling good about the world and in particular Arsenal. It's not just the win but the performance that impressed me.

Arshavin was, in my opinion, brilliant yesterday. He is starting to combine his ability with a more than decent work rate and seems to be really enjoying his football at the moment, a wonderful combination that if continued will see him become the world class player we all thought we signed when he came to North London. He scored our first goal with a jinking run followed by a great strike which was to powerful for Freidel as despite a good hand to the ball he couldn't prevent it sinking into the net.

AA23 then got his assist. A corner earned by a wonderful save by Brad Freidel after a powerful Chamakh header was played deep and the approaching Samir Nasri continued his great form and smashed the half volley into Villa'a goal.

2-0 up at half time and on top of the game - What could have gone wrong?

Villa scored their first despite Carew standing right in front of Fabianski in an offside position but they are just the decisions that go against you when your Arsenal.

I have to admit I was feeling very nervous after that goal and wondered how our players would react, especially after the week we've had but they reacted perfectly showing the character we've been missing of late and it was a matter of minutes before captain for the day, Rosicky slid the ball through for Chamakh who finished well slotting the ball under the keeper to make it 3-1.

As we never do anything the easy way we let Villa in to score a second just to make sure that Gooner's across the globe were on edge for the last quarter of the game. All those nerves disappeared a few minutes from the end when Chamakh turned provider and gently knocked the ball across goal to an unmarked Wilshere who scored his first league goal for the club with a diving header to make it 4-2. I am so chuffed for Jack as his performances this season have deserved more reward so to see his name on the score sheet was a great touch at the end of a great game.

This was the first game Villa have lost at home this season and only the second in the whole of 2010 so the achievment should not be overlooked and lets not forget Man Utd were held to a draw there just a couple of weeks ago.

Arsenal seem to have their swagger back and with only one game left in November we are so close to putting our bogey month behind us and enjoying the rest of the year.

Our thoughts now move to the Carling Cup and our chance to move closer to ending our trophy drought.

Till Next time,
Goonerfish.

Time for positivity: Villa Preview

Morning Gooners,

It feels like an eternity since we last played but that's the way two defeats on the trot make you feel. But lets not forget that prior to the last hellish week we saw are team put in what could be called champion's performances against both Everton and Wolves. November has always been a horrible month for Arsenal fans and 2010 has been no exception with more negativity flying around the blog sphere than I can remember for a long time but today are boys travel to Aston Villa to put an end to it and again send us top of the league, even if it may only be for a few hours unless 'Big Sam' and his boys from Blackburn can do us a favour at Old Trafford.

We travel to the midlands today taking the leagues best away record with us. With four wins, a couple of draws and only a single defeat on the road we have picked up more points than any other club but rather annoyingly, we've picked up more points than we have at home, but as I said this week has been negative enough, it's time to start thinking positively.

In contrast, Villa are unbeaten at home this year and will be doing their best to keep that record and as they showed against Man Utd a couple of weeks ago, they won't be push overs but then again they got owned by Blackburn last week so it all depends which Villa turn out.

Arsenal don't have an option as to which team turn up, it needs to be our best team, giving 100% in every minute of the game until we leave with the three points.

Wenger will have a decision to make over who he plays in the centre of defense but he's never been one to punish for a bad performance so I expect he'll stick with Koscielny and Squillaci. Squillaci will be vital today if Carew plays as I don't think Kos is strong enough to deal with him.

It seems our injury situation is getting better, but we will be missing the talents of Vermealen, Fabregas and Eboue which gives Wenger another decision to make in midfield. Who will fill Cesc's role? Is Wilshere ready to take it? If so, will he play Denilson to give us a bit more defensive bite? Will he bring in Rosicky for a rare start or will he move Nasri into his favourite position? The only thing we are sure of is that we have plenty of options.

Robin Van Persie missed out on the squad mid week but I think that's Wenger keeping his fragile superstar protected for what he saw as the bigger game so I actually expect to see him start today. I think if Nasri moves back then Walcott will be given his chance to show his talents and battle to get back in the starting XI on a regular basis.

Goonerfish's line-up:

Fabianski


Sagna - Koscielny - Squillaci - Clichy


Song


Nasri - Wilshere


Walcott - Arshavin


Van Persie (c)



Score: Aston Villa 2 - 3 Arsenal

In all honesty, I have a nasty feeling we'll drop points today with a draw but this is supposed to be a positive blog today.

Lets hope we can all enjoy our lunch today looking down on the rest of the league.

Till next time,
Goonerfish.