A dominating first half, during which Saka's shot which fooled an unsighted Martinez, was enough to keep the Gunners in good shape for their battle for 4th place. There was the usual dropoff in the second half, but Villa managed just one shot on target all game, with a free kick that was the game's last action. Leno was in goal, due to a Ramsdale training injury, and did fine when called upon. Villa is firmly mid-table and had little to play for, but Gerrard has them doing their best. It got spicy on a few occasions and it looked as though there would be some sendings off, but eventually the sides settled down.
Pepe came on for Saka in the second half and was dreadful. When Arteta sent Holding in for Odegaard to shore things up in the back, we lost all semblance of control in midfield. The three points were earned, but Arsenal made hard work of it and we'll need to kill off games like this against the likes of Villa, a good side that has less motivation.
I didn't see the Liverpool game, but by all accounts Arsenal played very well. We still have to deal with Chelsea, and of course three of our rivals for top four: Man U, Spuds, and West Ham. Those are all crucial contests.
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