Our Arsenal week 23 match review discusses the Gunners’ 4-2 win at Villa Park against Aston Villa. This was a vital victory and ends a winless run for Arsenal. This win also puts Arsenal two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table. Arsenal also has a game in hand. Let’s get into the match review for this important away victory.

Arsenal Week 23 Match Review: The Positives

One positive in this game for Arsenal is that the Gunners dominated possession against Aston Villa. The Gunners ended up with 67% possession for the game. This helped limit the number of chances Aston Villa had to score. The addition of Jorginho has certainly helped Arsenal dominate possession even more than they used to before signing him. It is worth noting that Aston Villa played a low block. This also contributed to plenty of possession for the Gunners.

Additionally, Arsenal managed to get five shots on target and scored a total of four goals in this match. This was a welcome sight considering that the Gunners had struggled a bit to score goals against teams playing low blocks. Hopefully, this trend continues since it seems likely many Premier League teams will play a low block against Arsenal.

The Gunners also defended set pieces quite well in this match. Aston Villa had two corners, but neither of them resulted in a goal. The Gunners handled Aston Villa’s set pieces well in this match.

Arsenal Dominated the Second Half

Arsenal also dominated the second half in general against Aston Villa. The Gunners scored three goals to overturn a 2-1 deficit at halftime into an eventual 4-2 win. The Gunners also didn’t allow Aston Villa to score a single goal in the second half.

Arsenal Week 23 Match Review: Ramsdale Made a Critical Save

Ramsdale played quite well despite the lack of a clean sheet. The two goals Arsenal conceded were not his fault. He made a crucial save when the game was tied 2-2 in the second half. Ramsdale should be happy with his performance.

Zinchenko Scored His First Premier League Goal

Zinchenko also had a strong second-half performance. He scored his first Premier League goal to draw the Gunners level at 2-2 and contributed all over the pitch offensively and defensively. Zinchenko’s leadership was crucial in spurring Arsenal to the comeback victory.

Odegaard Played Well in Midfield

Odegaard also had a good game, despite missing a good goal-scoring opportunity in the second half. He created a number of chances for the Gunners and drove Arsenal forward from midfield. Odegaard continues to have quite a strong season for Arsenal.

White Had a Strong Performance in the Second Half

Ben White also played well overall. He could have done better in defending Aston Villa’s second goal, but some of that fault lies with Saliba, as well. White responded with a strong second-half performance.

Arsenal Week 23 Match Review: Martinelli Scored Another Goal

Martinelli scored Arsenal’s fourth goal in this match after a great through ball from Fabio Vieira. This now takes him to eight goals and two assists in 22 appearances this season. It was a tap-in into an empty net after Martinez had come forward for an Aston Villa corner. Still, this goal should boost his confidence heading into the rest of the season.

Saka Had Another Good Game

Buyako Saka scored Arsenal’s first goal of the game to tie it at 1-1. It was an excellent volley into the top of the net. Saka now has nine goals and eight assists in 23 appearances this season. Saka remains one of Arsenal’s most important players.

Fabio Vieira Got an Assist

Fabio Vieira played well after he replaced Granit Xhaka in the second half. He got an assist by providing a great through ball for Martinelli’s goal on the break. Vieira continues to adapt to Premier League play and will likely be a key substitute for the Gunners moving forward.

Arsenal Week 23 Match Review: The Negatives

Arsenal’s first-half performance was quite poor in general. The Gunners conceded two goals far too easily and only managed one goal of their own in response. Arsenal also seemed a bit vulnerable to Aston Villa’s counterattack in the first half.

Saliba had a poor first-half performance, as well. He could have done much better to prevent Ollie Watkins from scoring Aston Villa’s first goal. Saliba has had a few shaky performances lately, but hopefully, he will play better moving forward.

Man of the Match: Jorginho

Jorginho had an excellent performance against Aston Villa. He helped the Gunners dominate possession throughout the match. His excellent effort also led to Arsenal’s third goal. His passing was also phenomenal. Jorginho appears to be a shrewd signing by the Gunners.

Manager Rating: 8

Arsenal had a poor first-half performance, as previously stated. However, Arteta’s half-time team talk certainly made a huge difference and Arsenal looked like a different team in the second half. His decision to replace Trossard with Martinelli in the second half also paid off in a significant way.

Arsenal Plays Leicester City Next

Arsenal travels to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester City on Saturday. Leicester City has struggled this season, currently 14th in the Premier League table and only four points above the relegation zone. I would bet on another Arsenal away win, especially if Arsenal replicate their second-half performance against Aston Villa for the full 90 minutes against Leicester.

Check back next week for more Arsenal content.