Dec

Cesc doesn’t need 90 minutes to beat Villa

Fabregas keeps Arsenal on the rise

In a match between the two teams caught between the title chasers and the European hopefuls, Aston Villa went to the Emirates hoping to carry on their good form against a “Top 4” team.

Victories over Chelsea and Manchester United have strengthened Villa’s chances of breaking the top four stranglehold but Martin O’Neill will understand that big questions are going to be asked of his Villa team from here on in.

There are also big questions being asked about the Arsenal squad.

Eduardo is not good enough for Arsenal. Yes, his injury was horrific but he has shown little on his return to indicate he can replicate his pre-injury form. Which is a shame but to be honest, he has hardly endeared himself to football fans this year.

One can only hope that he spent some of his Christmas being visited by three ghosts, impressing upon him the consequences on diving and offering a warning that he needs to change his ways.

Arsenal need a new striker, not only just because Eduardo is not up to the job but because they are failing to get the best from Andre Arshavin. Yes, in the home match versus Stoke City he was in great form and he got the winning goal at Anfield but Arshavin is better when he runs from deep. If the player can drop off the front line, his ability to bring others into play is a key component of Arsenal’s dynamic style of play.

After around an hour, it was still anyone’s game and Arsene Wenger decided that he had to unleash Cesc Fabregas onto the game.

The Spanish international was barely on the field when he won a free kick at the edge of the box, dusted himself off and fired the ball past Brad Friedel.

With nine minutes to go, the Spaniard struck again to secure all three points for Arsenal.

However, it was at a cost to the player and the club as a recurrence of the hamstring injury caused Fabregas to leave the action…but to a standing ovation.

The game was well and truly wrapped up in injury time when Diaby added a glossy touch to proceedings and provided a flattering touch to the score line.

It was by no means a season ending defeat for Aston Villa but they will be looking to bounce back well against Liverpool on Tuesday night. As for Arsenal, they may be without Cesc for a few weeks as his hamstring recovers but they remain in the title race.

Arsenal fans, can you win the league?