Arsenal are falling back to old habits, defensive frailties,attacking impotence in big matches. It was a season or two ago that the Gunners were expected to easily trample on Villa but how times have changed. Ollie Watkins who has not been prolific this season will not score a faster and easier goal than that. Traore being allowed to cross with the outside of his boot to find the Villa striker,this won’t be pleasing at all to the coach Arteta.

The difference at the end between the two sides was Villa utilising the few chances their way whereas Arsenal found their former keeper Martinez in inspired form. A notable save being from a Xhaka free kick.Arsenal have always been passing experts , totaling nearly 600 for this match to Villa’s 300s but they were not particularly penetrating passes. To only have got 3 shots on target from 67% possession shows Mikel needs to work on the finishing.