Diaby was our best player by some distance in the first half. Breaking up Villa attacks outside our own penalty area and driving through the Villa team without any problems

Match Review – Arsenal 3 Aston Villa 0 – Premier League

What a marvelous game at the Emirates stadium yesterday afternoon. I haven’t been on such a high after a result for a few weeks now. Cesc Fabregas’ cameo will be the obvious talking point but for me the strength and determination of the players will be what I will take away from this game and be most proud of.

We have been constantly reminded that Aston Villa are no mugs and will be coming full of confidence after winning at Old Trafford in the middle of a purple patch.

I was wrong with my line up prediction, Cesc Fabregas was not able to start the game, therefore Arsene did not have to attempt to accommodate four central midfielder’s into his system. Wenger’s team selection would be pretty easy, no need to make considerable changes to the team that beat Hull City 3-0 the weekend before, only Armand Traore came back into the team ahead of Mikel Silvestre who actually had his best left back performance in his last outing since being at the club but the pace of the Aston Villa front men would have made dropping Silvestre pretty straight forward.

The game was a real battle, Arsenal starting the game at a nice tempo, pretty much continuing from the second half at Hull City which was very pleasing. We are only at our best when we pass and move with conviction. It only took four minutes for the opening chances of the game to present itself, presenting itself would be taking credit away from the powerful and surging Abou Diaby. His turn on the edge of the area created the chance and he instantly fed Eduardo who was lurking in the box, Eduardo turned onto his stronger left foot with only the keeper the beat, but instead of finding the corner of the net he passed straight into the grateful arms of the American stopper.

I could of lost a lot of money if someone had paused time and allowed me to bet on the possibilities before he struck his shot. Eduardo clearly isn’t at his best, he took some months to get used to the Premier League and playing for Arsenal but we all saw what level he reached before his injury so lets not forgot that before writing him off as not good enough. Football fans are known for their short term memory but we do not have to look very far for proof of patience. Alex Song, Emmanuel Eboue, Van Persie (as a lone striker) and now Abou Diaby is showing everyone what the manager already knew. Diaby is a talented footballer who has needed to put the pieces together after being in and out of the squad due to multiple injuries. Eduardo will get back to his best but he needs a run of games and good confidence.

Diaby was our best player by some distance in the first half. Breaking up Villa attacks outside our own penalty area and driving through the Villa team without any problems.

The closest Aston Villa came to a goal was an Ashley Young shot that was deflected over Almunia’s bar by the impressive Alex Song.

I have to once again congratulate Manuel Almunia who once again looked assured in goal, hopefully last weeks penalty save has restored his self belief and the second half of this season can see the very best from him.

Armand Traore has grown up considerably and does not look out of place in the Arsenal back four, he was up against in form wide men and more than stood up to the task.

Arsenal had controlled the game and pinned Villa back but chances were difficult to come by, mainly down to the quality of Villa’s defending as apposed to poor attacking play.

We had created enough chances to win the game before Cesc had come on. I guessed that Denilson would be the player to be withdrawn but I wasn’t aware of a reoccurrence to a back problem that has plagued the Brazilian since last season.

Cesc had an instant impact, his awareness and ability to find space was evident. Eduardo was replaced for the speedy Theo Walcott on 64 minutes,

Arshavin and Cesc created the opportunity for the first goal, Arshavin’s great turn and pass found Cesc in the hole outside the penalty area and Cesc’s feet were too quick for Richard Dunne who clipped the Spaniard’s ankles. I was actually hoping that Nasri would take the kick and was a little disappointed to see him walking away from the ball. That disappointment was short lived as Cesc curled in a Gianfranco Zola style free kick into the corner of Brad Friedel’s net. A free kick of immense quality. By the way Cesc has been striking the ball it looks as if he has spent plenty of time on the training ground hitting the ball and it looks like paying off.

Vermaelen and Gallas kept Heskey, Agbonlahor and latterly Carew very quiet during the entire game. Villa were restricted to a limited view of Almunia’s goal and that was very pleasing. I still wanted the second goal to be scored to make sure and that was delivered nine minutes before time.

Milner gave the ball straight to Traore, his long raking pass found Walcott skipping down the right wing, Fabregas sprinted into the middle and Walcott’s pass to him was inch perfect, Cesc finished like a seasoned striker. He has finished like that all season.

Then the reoccurrence of the hamstring which cut many Gooners celebrations around the country. Wenger has indicated that it may be a short term problem but with Denilson having another back problem and Song leaving for the ACN, Wenger has spoken about possibly looking for a new midfielder in the window next month.

Abou Diaby capped a wonderful performance by scoring a brilliant third, driving to the edge of the box and curling beyond Friedel. This was in my eyes, a champions performance. Strong defensively, dominating possession and beating a top side with three superb goals.

Four points behind Chelsea with a game in hand, we are in a fantastic position. Long may that continue.