A truly great performance. Helder was left out, either because he was injured or because Houston wanted to play his team for the Sampdoria game. I would assume it was the former because even Houston couldn't be stupid enough to drop Helder.
The game started and for the first quarter of an hour Villa exerted some pressure without relly looking like scoring. Arsenal gradually took control and took the lead on the half hour with a great team goal. The ball was played from Schwarz to Wright to Parlour to Merson who took the ball to the line and pulled it back for Hartson to slide home.
Within two minutes it was two. Wright picked up the ball inside the Arseanl half and ran at the Villa defence beating them with pace and skill before beating Bosnich with a low shot. Sheer class and Wright loved it.
In the second half Arsenal were in control before the ref gave what seemed a harsh penalty to Villa, although match of the day showed Bould did tug Taylor's shirt. Saunders stepped up to take and Seaman pulled off a remarkable save. The three points were ours for sure now and Villa ceased to be an attacking force. Wright then showed great persistence to win the ball and work it into the Villa box. He pushed the ball past McGrath and went down like a sack of potatoes. Theatrical, yes, contact, also yes. My brother who was sitting side on and in line with the challenge told me later it was a clearcut penalty, although at first those around me weren't too sure. Wright cool as ever stepped up and showed Saunders how it's done by sending Bosnich the wrong way and rolling it into the corner.
Of the players, Parlour stood out for being absolutely awful, Keown, Wright, Hartson and Merson had excellent games. The defence was very solid although Winterburn's distribution at times was awful, and Seaman was wonderful.
It wasn't all wonderful though, Firstly Dixon and Merson needed lengthy treatment for injuries. Secondly, it took over three hours to get home. Thirdly, Tony Adams. With all the rumours flying around about Mr. Arsenal leaving, the fans obviously did all they could to show him what he means to us. As the players left the pitch at half time and walked towrds the Arsenal fans, there was a resounding chorus of "one Tony Adams, etc." In the past Adams would respond to this with a two fisted, punched salute. Today though it was a half hearted wave of a hand tucked in by his waste. It was if he was embarrassed by the affection the Arsenal were showing him, or even guilt ridden at the thought of what he's going to decide in the summer. I might be being paranoid and I don't proffess to being an expert in body language but that was the impression I got. After another outstanding performance today it is painfully clear that without captain fantastic we'd be really struggling. Lets just hope whoever's in charge in the summer has the sense to offer him 20k a week.
Report by Benjamin Wreschner