Arsenal hosted Aston Villa in what would be for both sides a competition for sixth place in the Premier League this weekend. Mikel Artetas side was on a high after an away win to Manchester United in the previous game week while Dean Smiths Villans had to dust themselves down after their home defeat to Southampton last weekend.
It was the away side who lead at the break after a well-worked goal coming from the left to force Bakayo Saka to turn a low cross into his own net before the half-hour mark. The Gunners came out revitalised in the second half yet could not look any closer to finding an equaliser.
Much like the first half, the second half belonged to the visitors as Aston Villa found the net twice within three minutes. Ollie Watkins netted twice for his side, first, a clinical header on 72 minutes from a spectacular one-touch cross from Ross Barkley. Second, finishing low from a tight angle inside the box, rounding off a counter-attack started by Jack Grealish. Final score Arsenal 0-3 Aston Villa.
The tactical analysis below looks at several aspects that tell the story of this game, including both managers tactics and style of play, as well as key players and key moments that decided the outcome.
Lineups
Arsenal: 3-4-3
Arteta started the same XI that triumphed away at Old Trafford the previous game week. Alexander Lacazette was the focal point of the attack while captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang supported narrowly from the left and Brazilian, Willian from the right. Thomas Partey and Mohammad Elneny controlled the tempo of their side from the middle while Bukayo Saka and Héctor Bellerín operated on the left and right flank respectively. Gabriel Magalhães was the centre of a back three accompanied by Keiran Tierney and Rob Holding either side while the tried and trusted Bernd Leno started between the posts.
Aston Villa: 4-4-2
Smith made one change to the side that fell to Southampton last week, Mahmoud Trézéguet comes back in place of Bertrand Traoré at right-wing. Watkins leads the line for his side with Grealish attacking from the left, Trézéguet from the right, while Barkley supports from behind as playmaker. Douglas Luiz and John McGinn control the game from centre-midfield, protected by a back four made up of Matt Targett, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Matty Cash. Former Gunner who blossomed late in his career, Emiliano Martínez, is Smiths preferred choice in goal.
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