REDEMPTION Arsenal registered their fifth away 4-2 victory against Aston Villa to go top of the Barclays Premier League table in pulsating six goal thriller at Villa Park. But the excitement was short lived after Manchester United thrashed Blackburn 7-1 at the Old Trafford just few hours later.
John Carew who torn calf muscle made his return from injury together with the new signing former Arsenal ‘s Robert Pires to start the match. Arsenal taken right from the start into Aston Villa creating several chances with Chamakh and Rosicky early in the match.
The visitor continued to pile on the pressure giving Gerard Houllier's side no time to breathe and restricted their opponent in their own half. Tomas Rosicsky who took over the captaincy from Cesc Fabregas who was injured had another chance through Chamakh back header followed by Samir Nasri with both attempt just missing the target.
In the 24th minute Aston Villa best chance came through Ashley Young. The unmarked striker just could not connect it down Steven Downing cross at the far post.
With half hour gone as usual in their previous matches we saw Arsenal total domination but so often they fail to translate into goals and lose the match.
But Andre Arshavin had other idea. In the 38th minute a mistake by Villas defenders Collins and Young going for the same ball freed the Russian with acres of space to run through on the left. Arshavin cut inside past a defender unleashed a powerful shot with Freidel got a hand before the ball went into the net.
It was the Russian first goal after a barren run in 10 matches his longest so far.
A moment later Arsenal should have gone two up with Samir Nasri missing a great opportunity when he was nicely put through by Arshavin in the box. The French midfielder beat Freidel but fail squeeze in his shot into the empty net.
Another great build up by the visitor saw Alexander Song laid perfectly for Sagna to run from the right and send in a teasing cross for Chamakh to plant in a header but goalkeeper Brad Freidel made a fine save to deny the Moroccan.
Then just before the break Arsenal double their lead and what a great effort it was by Samir Nasri as he blasted in first time from Arshavin corner with great technique past the bewildered Freidel.
As they went into the tunnel question raised could Aston Villa repeat another come back in the second half as the result was exactly the same against Spurs last week at the Emirates.
Villa's manager Gerard Houlier made a quick change before the restart by taking Robert Pires out for Delfounso. The change subsequently made the home side started more adventurously and looking much better game after the break.
It took them just six minutes to reduce the deficit. A sensational strike by midfielder Ciaran Clark in the box cemented the improvement of Villa that they are back in the game.
The goal stunned Arsenal and the looks of another repeat of their 3-2 loss against Spurs after taking a 2-0 lead in the first half with Villa pressing hard searching for the equalizer starting to haunt them.
But Arsenal quickly restored the advantage with Maroune Chamakh their goal scorer in the 55th minute. Tomas Rosicsky slide rule pass between the Villa defenders saw Chamakh toe poke the ball under the arms of Brad Friedel. It was timely indeed for Arsenal as the striker produces his 7th goal in the Premier League.
From then on Arsenal took control of the match and stringing their passes well all around the field but as they thought they had a comfortable lead Villa nearly snatch a goal right under their nose but Clark effort just went wide.
In the 70th another chance came in for Clark but the young midfielder did not miss this time. His header hit under the cross bar and cross the line for his second goal in the match with the initial header came in by Robert Dunn.
Again Arsenal began to look nervous as they edging their way to hang on for the lead. Arsene Wenger made a double substitution with Kieran Gibbs and Denilson came in for Samir Nasri and Arshavin.
With four minutes added time Jack Wilshire got his first Premier League goal in 92nd minute. Maroune Chamakh float in a cross at the far post as the 18th-year-old dived to head in for Arsenal fourth his first goal in the Premier League to put the results beyond doubt and ended Villa unbeaten home record.
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