As the Villa faithful turned out to bid the Premier League adieu, youngsters Lyden and Toner received a warmer welcome than some of their more seasoned team-mates and the final game of the season of shame got under way.
The party atmosphere in the away end continued even when the unchallenged Giroud headed Monreal’s cross home from twelve yards out after five minutes, with the claret and blue army joining the hosts in celebrating the goal.
A little disgruntled as the ball had clearly gone out for a goal-kick before Giroud’s opening goal, the Villans kept plugging away and had some success in keeping the hosts at bay.
The visitors briefly threatened, with Ayew attempting to capitalise on some poor defending from Gabriel in the eighth minute, but Koscielny made the crucial clearance during a scramble in the six-yard box.
Cazorla’s curling free-kick in the thirteenth minute presented the Gunners with a chance but Gabriel was unable to beat Bunn.
A shot on target from Westwood after sixteen minutes, easily saved by Cech, was the height of footballing excitement for the Villa fans who, as they have done so often this season, amused themselves in the stands.
A weaving Sanchez chanced his arm after thirty-two minutes but his shot went wide.
A minute later, Wilshere wasted a golden opportunity when he sliced the ball wide.
Under pressure, Sinclair offered some hope but his effort went wide and, although Bacuna kept the ball in play, Monreal cleared before the waiting Ayew could pounce.
The home crowd came to life with the news that Spurs were 2-0 down at St. James’ Park but their team had nothing more to offer in the first half.
There were no changes for either side at the break and the second half started in slow fashion.
The hosts’ nerves seemed to show as Lescott was able to pull away unopposed at the back post and head the ball across goal before the Gunners sprang into life.
The Gunners’ quick, counter-attacking style was not bearing any fruit and the Villa fans mockingly sang “Easy! Easy!” as the Villans won two corners in quick succession.
Ayew stabbed the ball towards goal after sixty-six minutes but failed to trouble Cech.
Having curled a free-kick over the bar after seventy-two minutes, it seemed the Gunners were wasting their ammunition on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Six minutes later, making the most of Özil’s cut back and outwitting Toner, Giroud had his second of the afternoon.
The Frenchman had his hat-trick, his first in the Premier League, two minutes later when Bellerin tore the Villa defence apart and found the striker with an incisive through ball.
A few minutes later, Sanchez failed to make it four when he was denied by Bunn.
There was still time for one last goal at the Emirates. Initially, it appeared that the departing Arteta had signed off on his Arsenal career in style but replays show that his effort had hit Bunn so it was classed as an own goal.
And so the game ended with the hosts having snatched second place from their north London rivals and the Villans comprehensively crushed once again.
3 Comments
Unfathomably pathetic team selection. I wonder if he’s under instructions not to play any of the exciting players so as not to put them in the shop window this summer? That’s the only explanation i can think of beyond, simply, the fact that he’s an idiot.
Another humiliation in a year/s of the same, who cares.
Eric Black is the most bland, unimaginative human on planet earth why not play kids and
drop goons like Lescott, my grandmother is faster than him and shes dead(god bless her x)
What a utter and complete shambles…
Don’t want to waste any more time on them
Bye
Steve
It was the day of Arsenal… the defence section was outstanding…. it was really an excited match to watch as ever!!!