3 Talking Points From Arsenal vs Aston Villa (5-0): Bellerin Starting To Blossom

Arsenal vs Aston Villa: 3 Key Talking Points

Arsenal moved into fifth place in the Premier League, level on points with Southampton in fourth after a five-star performance against Aston Villa. Olivier Giroud, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Hector Bellerin all scored as the Gunners swept aside a hapless Villa side, who are now just three points off the relegation zone.

Giroud opened the scoring inside the 10th minute after a wonderful through ball from Ozil and the Frenchman returned the favour as he set up the German 10 minutes into the second half. Walcott latched onto a through ball from Cazorla and finished expertly to make it three, before the Spaniard made it four from the penalty spot. And in stoppage time, the icing on the cake was provided by Bellerin, who scored his first goal for Arsenal.

Here are the major talking points from the game.

1. Arsenal starting to click into gear

When Arsenal lost 3-2 to Stoke in early December, it was their third defeat in their previous four away games. Many started to question if the Gunners could string together a run of wins, with such a bad away form. But since then, Arsenal have lost just once away from home, and that too was against Southampton, who had lost just two games at home, prior to Sunday. The Gunners’ 5-0 win over Villa was also their fourth straight clean sheet in the league and have moved their goal difference to +19 just four behind City in second place.

Not only are the Gunners starting to win games convincingly, they are also starting to show a mean streak, that many thought they didn’t have. Their 2-0 away win at the Etihad was confirmation of that and with a trip to White Hart Lane coming up next Saturday, they are in their best form of the season so far. While Spurs and Manchester United are the only difficult away ties left this season, it is at home that they must continue their form. After defeat to the Red Devils in late November, the Gunners have won five-straight home games, conceding just two goals. With the likes of West Ham, Chelsea and Liverpool still to come to the Emirates this season, it will be their home form that is key to their Champions League ambitions.

2. Bellerin starting to blossom

One of the criticisms Arsene Wenger has had to contend with this season, has been the club’s lack of defenders. The Gunners started the season with just six senior defenders and injuries early on forced them into playing Hector Bellerin. The 19-year-old was thrust into the spotlight early in his Arsenal career.

While his pace was very evident early on, his defensive discipline was a concern for the Gunners who didn’t anyone else to play at right back. But as the season has gone on, Bellerin has shown just why Wenger rates him so highly. In his previous games, the Spaniard has shown his tenacious tackling ability, but against Aston Villa, it was going forward that he shone through. Whether it was provide crosses for Giroud, or play neat passes near the edge of the box, the Spaniard did it with consummate ease. He capped off a wonderful performance with a goal that will put many strikers to shame, as he side-footed the ball into the net from outside the box in stoppage time.

3. Villa’s gamble leads to their downfall

Amidst all the surprises in the fourth round of the FA Cup, the biggest one was perhaps Aston Villa beating high-flying Bournemouth, scoring two goals in the process. Although they have scored thrice in the FA Cup, another blank in the league against Arsenal means that it is now six games since Villa scored in the league. And on a day when their usually solid defense also crumbled, these are the days when it feels as though this might be the year that Villa go down.

Against Arsenal, Paul Lambert decided to play a high pressing game to sniff out any danger posed by the home side. One of the problems with playing that way is that it leaves far too much space behind the defense, if done properly. And any change of possession or fast counter attacks would leave them vulnerable. Arsenal capitalised on the space behind the defense time and again as Walcott was given the perfect opportunity to return to goal scoring form. Another problem with high pressing is the spaces it leaves between the defense and midfield if the whole team don’t press together. As the game went on, the defense sat deeper, but the forwards continued to press, which left far too much space for Arsenal’s midfielders to work their magic. Although a gamble with high reward, Villa’s risky strategy was what eventually led to their worst loss of the season at the Emirates.