Arsenal 1 Aston Villa 3 – Disaster of a start!

Arsenal physio Colin Lewin treats the injured Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on August 17, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal were forced to bring on Santi Cazorla in the second half, after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain couldn’t continue, having clashed with Antonio Luna. Arsenal looked sprightlier in midfield, as Rosicky began to orchestrate the plays. He should have made it 2-1, having played a beautiful pick and pass with Giroud to go clean through of Villa’s defence, but his resultant shot was high and not handsome at all.

Fabian Delph, instead, almost made it 2-1 to Villa, when his unexpected long effort struck the inside of the post, on to the other post and out. Arsenal had managed to escape, momentarily. Agbonlahor went on another run, and was this time bought down by Laurent Koscielny, and the ref, Anthony Taylor, harshly adjudged it to be a penalty after television replays clearly proved that Koscielny had gotten the ball first.

Cristian Benteke made no mistake with the spot kick this time, sending Szczesny the wrong way to make it 2-1 to Villa. To make matters worse for Arsenal, Koscielny was sent off moments later, as his mistimed challenge bought down Weimann during another well-built Villa attack.

Arsenal looked for an equalizer, and Rosicky forced a fine save off Guzan. Minutes later, Rosicky headed the ball into the path of Santi Cazorla, whose left footed shot struck Guzan and onto the post. Arsenal were left bare at the back on a corner, and Villa left-back Antonio Luna raced on to a cleared corner to easily slot home Villa’s winner in the 86th minute.

Arsenal’s woes were compounded when Bacary Sagna landed awkwardly and had to be bought off. The final whistle bought with it a chorus of boos across the Emirates, and chants such as “Spend some fucking money!”

It was a disastrous start to Arsenal’s Premier League campaign, and the frailties of the squad were visible to everyone. The club has started its campaign in a very unprepared fashion.

Two years back, it took a sound 8-2 mauling at Old Trafford for the club to go out and make some reinforcements. However, this summer has only seen a mass exodus, and only the arrival of an unheralded French striker into the squad.

It shows a lack of planning, a lack of vision and an utter lack of ambition. The club clearly is short of defenders, that too with the injuries to Vermaelen and Monreal. After the game, even Sagna and Gibbs have joined the treatment table. For the Fulham game, Arsenal could have only 2 fit defenders, in Mertesacker and Jenkinson, as Koscielny is suspended.

In midfield, Arsenal looked lightweight against a battling Villa side. There was no defensive midfielder to enforce things, despite Ramsey being impressive in recent times. Arsenal had to bring on a knackered Cazorla in the second half, and the Spaniard had few ideas as Villa closed him down perfectly. Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky were lively, yet had little support, as Walcott failed to run the channels.

The lack of proper options on the bench is another major concern. A half fit Sanogo, Frimpong and Gnabry sat alongside Cazorla and Podolski. I can go on and on, but the problems are there for everyone to see. Lack of transfer activity, an ailing squad, a stubborn manager and a pile of fixtures. It is going to be another long and hard season.