Moments after Andrei Arshavin opened the scoring at Villa Park, Samir Nasri had a golden chance to make it 2-0, being put behind the Villa defense and, with a poke from his right foot, beating Brad Freidel to create an open goal chance. The French attacker’s momentum and left foot failed him, and his chance to get Arsenal’s second goal went into the side netting.
Aston Villa Vs. Arsenal: Samir Nasri Doubles Gunners’ Lead Just Before Halftime
Thankfully for Arsenal, Nasri was given a chance to redeem himself in the moments before halftime. From a corner kick in first half stoppage time, Nasri’s half-volley driven into the ground from 18 yards out skipped past Freidel, giving Arsenal a 2-0 lead at halftime.
The corner kick came after a great Brad Freidel save of a Marouane Chamakh header. The resulting corner was floated by Jack Wilshire to the edge of the box, even with Freidel’s far post. Nasri’s right-footed half volley was put into the ground eight yards from goal, skipping slightly to the shooter’s right (away from Freidel) and inside the post.
The score culminated a dominant half for Arsenal that saw Nasri, Chamakh and Arshavin have multiple chances for goals. Aston Villa’s lone chance was a tough, sharp angle opportunity for Ashley Young that he would have required some magic to convert.
For the second week in a row, Arsenal takes a 2-0 lead into half. Villa is now tasked with doing their best Tottenham impression.
See More:
