Arsenal beat Aston Villa and vaulted above a shell shocked Spurs, who lost to Newcastle, and finished in second place in the Premier League. It took 78 minutes before Arsenal put Villa out of their misery (and ours) when they scored their second and decisive goal.
The game started in an ideal way with a strong Gunner effort being rewarded by a fifth minute opening goal, Giroud heading home a Monreal cross.
Arsenal’s problem this past season has been scoring that second goal and this game proved no different. Despite dominating play, they couldn’t really generate golden chances and couldn’t score from their half-chances.
This continued into the second half and raised fan’s frustration levels, knowing that all could be squandered if Villa ever woke up.
Finally a well worked move saw Ozil cross to Giroud, who turned the ball in from a tight angle. Minutes later, he completed his hat trick, beating the defence and sliding home Bellerin’s through ball.
Mikel Arteta ended his career with his final kick leading to Arsenal’s fourth goal, an own goal off the keeper.
In the end there was something to celebrate … the collapse of Tottenham, which was spectacular and amusing at the same time. Hopefully we’ll be able to celebrate winning trophies next year, rather than a neighbour’s misfortunes.
Player Ratings:
Cech 6. He had little to do, although a couple of times there was confusion in the box (not his fault, though). I believe this clean sheet puts him at the top of clean sheets in the Premier League this year.
Bellerin 7. Defensively he had to keep an eye on Ayew, who beat him once with ease. Offensively, he had a good game and a very good assist on the third goal, spotting Giroud breaking for goal.
Gabriel 5. Several times Ayew beat him and threatened the goal. He has to be better in one on one duels.
Koscielny 7. He was steady at the back, helping to clean up other people’s messes.
Monreal 8. He had a nice assist on the first goal with a good cross to Giroud. Later he helped to intercept a Villa pass that could’ve led to a goal.
Coquelin 6. Won most of his duels and helped to keep the ball moving.
Cazorla 7. Showed what we’d been missing for months … someone who can quickly move the ball ahead and shift the team from defence to offence. He was all over and didn’t look rusty at all.
Ozil 7. He was busy and dangerous and several times he got into scoring positions. His movement and passing were essential in our second goal.
Wilshere 7. He looked lively and passed well. A couple of his through balls were overhit. He missed a volley with his right foot in the first half and had a great chance to score in the second, but Alexis got in the way.
Giroud 9. Scored three and you can’t ask much more. He’s finally back to form.
Sanchez 7. Could’ve had a hat trick. He had difficulty controlling Ozil’s scoop pass in the first when he was one on one with the keeper. Narrowly missed a good chance in the first half as well. In the second, he was put through on the break, but attempted to chip the keeper, who managed to get a hand to it. He assisted on the final goal of the day.
Substitutes:
Elneny 6: He should’ve scored twice. He had a glorious chance to volley and score, but he skied over the bar. At the end he was played in one on one with the keeper, but hit the ball to the right.
Arteta 7: A brief outing, but he played in Elneny with a nice pass, but he missed. He then smashed home Alexis’s cross, albeit off the back of the keeper. A nice way to end a career.
Campbell n/a: Some tricky dribbling at the end, but little else.