Goal Analysis: Arsenal Stunned by Aston Villa, How were the goals scored?

Arsenal got off to the worst possible start imaginable by dropping points to a team who were regularly in the relegation scrap fight last season. The lack of signings this transfer market and this unacceptable result has heaped more misery and pressure on the French manager who sees more and more fans turn on him as the minutes pass on. We at Off The Pitch will take a look at how the goals were scored, plus at some of the controversial decisions that took place in the game.

1st Goal: Olivier Giroud (6th minute assisted by Oxlade Chamberlain)

Arsenal did get off to a dream start scoring in the 6th minute to send the Emirates Stadium into complete delirium. Pace and movement was pivotal to this goal; as the cleverness of the OX and the perfect movement from Giroud took full advantage of the mistake from Ron Vlaar. 

Antonio Luna was found out of position when Rosicky laid out the pass towards Ox; while the Center-back were already behind Olivier Giroud, there can not be any question of the CBs playing Giroud off-side as the ball was never to be played to Giroud in that instance. See this picture below to understand:

There is plenty of space available to both the receiver of the pass Oxlade-Chamberlain and Oliveir Giroud who both made perfect runs and also made the perfect decisions. Almost the entirety of Villas' defense was taken out by this positioning of the two forward players and the pass by Rosicky. Ox makes the dash towards the by-line and then cuts in to play the ball into the feet of the on-rushing Frenchman who scored with a beautiful side-foot deflection. 

Furthermore, the defensive side here looks in complete shambles as all the defenders get attracted towards the ball; leaving huge space for Giroud to move in to. Furthermore, Theo Walcott is also free so one defender had to move over to cover this option but as the others moved towards the ball this opened up the space Giroud required to calmly make the dash and deflect the ball goal-wards from the side of his foot. Textbook Stuff this from the striker and the passer! Poor from Aston Villa!

Here is a GIF for you Arsenal fans to enjoy too! 

Exquisite Movement all around!

 

2nd Goal : Christian Benteke (22 mints)

Christian Benteke is one lucky lad for scoring this one as his tame penalty was easily saved by the Polish keeper Szczesny, but the parry was at a amicable height for the Belgian to nod in from almost a yard out; Szczesny could not have done anything about the re-bound though. 

Some might say that it was Szczesny who gave the penalty away but let us show you a different picture; a picture that tells you how Arsenal midfield and CB pairing forgot to look at where the ball is. Have a look:

Kieran Gibbs got nutmeged at almost the edge of the area from where Gabby Agbanlahor made a dash towards the ball; see the arrow, thats where the ball is headed, now take a look at the so called "First line of defense" which is your CB pairing, ironically or idiotically they are not even in the line of the ball. Why is that important? Get in line with the ball and you can hack it clear if it is played that long which Gabby actually played. The midfield looks very disinterested in tracking back as all three are standing next to each other may be discussing which clubs they want to go to next season. Look at the next frame to see the midfield disappearing and the CB moving even farther away from the ball. 

The first line of defense is a good yard away from the Impact, possibly covering the run of the other forward, the ball was never meant to come his way as Agbanlahor had already played it a bit too long for his comfort. The keeper had no chance but to come to try to collect the ball as the midfield and the CB were shying away from the ball. Weimann should have scored but the blame for the penalty can not be solely put upon the Pole, the incompetency of the CB pairing has to be questioned as well, also the reluctance of the midfield to come in and squeeze is also a cause of concern for Wenger. Benteke, missed, but then nodded home a leveller. Game ON!

3rd Goal : Christian Benteke (61 minutes, Penalty)

This time Benteke hit the bulls-eye. Sending Szczesny the wrong way, the Belgian put Villa ahead by scoring his second of the game. A lot of controversy was created when referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot and gave Koscienly his marching orders. We got some different angles for you to have a look; and by all angles it seems to be a bit too harsh on Koscienly, but Arsenal fans must not forget that Szczesny was also very lucky not to have been given a red-card (that too was a 50-50 decision). 

 

Want to have a look at it more closely? Here you go!

 

Or even more closely? Here it is :

Still cant get enough? Here is a GIF

 

All evidence says Koscienly (unlucky) got his studs on the football first, referee got it wrong and Arsenal can complain. But the defense of Arsenal was once again exposed when Agbanlahor again dribbled past an Arsenal Defender. They will have to be much more sharper than they are if they are to stop these 1-on-1 skirmishes. Benteke scored and Aston Villa could not believe what was happening, leading 2-1 away to Arsenal on the opening day, even they could not have dream about this happening!

4th Goal: Anotnio Luna (85 minutes, assisted by Andres Wiemann)

Classic case of a counter-attack, with defenders pushed up for a corner, Arsenal were left with no players in their own-half. Weimann got the ball and quickly dispatched it in to the green empty space in Arsenals' half. Antonio Luna was still in his half when the pass was made but he latched onto it very very quickly, and then it was all composure from the full-back who was partially responsible for the goal conceded by Villa. Arsenal were too lazy and tired to get back at any speed and Luna had all the time in the world to put it into the corner. Victory was Villas' to enjoy! 

Who plays with defenders? All Attacking Gunners!

Here is the illustration of what happened, Luna on his ride,motoring towards the goal, with no Arsenal player in his sight but a helpless and clueless Polish keeper who could do absolutely nothing about the calm finish from the full-back. Excellent counter, trade-mark counter! Well done to Aston Villa, Pity and Misery for Arsenal!

Hope you enjoyed reading the Goal Analysis. We will be providing you with more goal analysis on the rest of the games that happened in the EPL this weekend and mid-week so do come back for that. Until that time, Bye-Bye!

Images are cropped from the highlights package while GIFs belong to arsenallist.com :)