Marouane Chamakh has killed any momentum Aston Villa hoped to garner from Ciaran Clark’s goal, though he had accomplices in Villa’s defense. Put through on goal in the 56th minute, the Arsenal strike poked a 12 yard shot beneath an oncoming Brad Freidel, restoring the Gunners’ lead to two only five minutes after Villa had cut it in half. Just over ten minutes into the second half, Arsenal led 3-1.
Aston Villa Vs. Arsenal: Villa’s Defense Breaks As Marouane Chamakh Restores Arsenal’s Two Goal Lead
The goal continues a worrisome display by Aston Villa’s defense. The most glaring breakdown was Arsenal’s first goal, where Luke Young vacated his flank and allowed Andrei Arshavin a paved path to goal. But there have been a series of other, subtle problems, but it a lack of pressure through midfield, an inability to track Samir Nasri’s runs through their line, or trouble matching up with Marouane Chamakh. Andrei Arshavin’s passing has put Gunner attackers through on Freidel three or our times today, with the defense looking slow and disorganized each time.
As Richard Dunne chased Marouane Chamakh in the 56th minute, the story was repeating. Dunne was put in a tough spot by partner James Collins, who had misread the play and got caught coming off of his line. The pass for Chamakh went through the space vacated by the covering Dunne, who was too slow to respond to the play. With the toe-punch, the Arsenal target man had his seventh goal of the year, one which restored Arsenal’s two goal lead.
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