Villa – Newcastle – Cesc – Hleb – Lehmann – Spurs

Arsenal remain top of the table after winning at Villa Park, with goals from Flamini and Adebayor. Flamini has so much drive and that alone help him score the vital equaliser, while Adebayor ended his goal drought with an excellent header. Hopefully that goal will be the first of many in a very hectic December.

The first half was almost exhibition football, with Villa struggling to get the ball. They did score the opener against the run of play though, after a fortunate deflection put the ball into the path of Gardener. Villa did push us all the way in the second half, playing balls to Carew who caused all sorts of problems and even managed to hit the bar. The second half was encouraging though, as Arsenal showed the resolve to hold onto a lead and finish the game with 3 points.

Arsenal will travel to St James’ Park without Alexander Hleb, who was injured by a tackle from behind from Carew. Arsenal seemed to lose their flow when Hleb was replaced against Villa so hopefully we can still put in a winning performance on Wednesday. Van Persie, Cesc and Diaby are also probably a little short for the Newcastle game.

Meanwhile Adebayor calls for ‘focus’, and not the car apparently.

The obvious talk of Lehmann leaving in the January transfer window has started, and it is Wolfsburg which is the current club the German is linked too. I’m sure Jens will be linked to many clubs over the next couple of months, and he would probably fancy a move back to Germany. His relationship with Almunia has always been frosty, and the two don’t even speak anymore. With the togetherness and team-spirit playing a huge part in the young team’s success this season you wonder if it would be better for everyone if Arsene let the German leave. The only problem is if Almunia gets injured, but Fabianski is highly rated by the Arsenal staff.

And a note about last night’s Tottenham/Birmingham game.

Congratulations to Arsene’s former young guns Djourou (on loan), Muamba and in particular Sebastian Larsson, who scored a simply stunning winner in injury time to take the 3 points. I managed to catch the last 15 minutes and Alex McLeish’s side really pulled a smash and grab at White Hart Lane.

Spurs currently sit one point above the relegation zone.

Funny how everyone wrote us off and the so-called ‘experts’ said Spurs would finish above us isn’t it?

Arsene must be quietly satisfied inside. I know I was!

And Arsenal were drawn away to Burnley in the 3rd round of the FA Cup.

And before I forget, also congratualtions to Cesc who won the Young Footballer of the Year Award at the BBC London Sports Awards last night. Looks like yesterday was a great day in London for everyone!

 

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