Arsenal v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Walmley_Villa]

Anyone have any idea what Onana's injury was. At first when he was sitting down I thought it was a head injury, but not sure. As he walked off at half time there was nothing visibly obvious. Anyone know?

I'm guessing tight hamstring as his right leg was being stretched when he was with the physios

[Nev]

Emery has set a very high standard as a Gentleman of the game so he should be allowed to stray occasionally. He was probably worried that they were going to play that song again so took the sensible option and did one.

[rougegorge]

A bit surprising Unai didn't shake hands, but still. Actually, Arteta was OK after the defeat to us the other week and also shook hands with Villa players etc afterwards.

If we can't win the league, and it's between Arsenal and Man City, I would be supporting Arsenal. They haven't done anything really underhand to get where they are today; well, apart from somehow getting themselves promoted after WW1 and relegating Spurs in the process.

[cdbearsfan]

Unai couldn't shake his hand because Arteta was ignoring him, the classless twat.

[Crown Hill]

A bit surprising Unai didn't shake hands, but still. Actually, Arteta was OK after the defeat to us the other week and also shook hands with Villa players etc afterwards.

If we can't win the league, and it's between Arsenal and Man City, I would be supporting Arsenal. They haven't done anything really underhand to get where they are today; well, apart from somehow getting themselves promoted after WW1 and relegating Spurs in the process.

It was just a loss of temper after Arteta went into that huddle rather than follow normal protocol . I don’t think he wanted to stand around waiting with the crowd baiting and TV cameras in him. Of course he can’t say that afterwards so I thought he dealt with it v well.

From Arteta reaction it’s pretty clear they shook hands inside.

[Baldy]

Unai's comments on not shaking hands:

https://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/unai-emery-defends-decision-not-to-shake-mikel-arteta-hand-as-arsenal-beat-villa-1847051.html

Much ado about nothing.

[eamonn]

Unai's a gent, and he expects gent-like conduct from his opposite numbers, especially a fellow euskaldun. Arteta's job is to make straight for him to shake his hand, particularly as a) the victor and b) the home manager. He is, however, in his soul a grotty little oik. No nobility of spirit. Unai was quite within his rights to bolt for his bovril.

Grubby little oik and bolt for bovril... Wonderful flourishes of language and working titles for songs by The Fall.

[brontebilly]

In fairness to Arsenal and Arteta, when the pressure came on them last night at half time, they showed their mettle and turned it around brilliantly. Atmosphere turned very quickly in the first half once we started well. Tielemans and McGinn were the midfield pairing when we effectively ended their title bid there a couple of seasons ago. It wasn't as it we put two kids in there when Onana went off. Huge pressure on them, Rice injured etc and we have been their bogey team for a few years. If they go on and win the title they will point to this game being the key one. Not sure how any neutral would want Man City and their cheating to win it out again.

[Nev]

In fairness to Arsenal and Arteta, when the pressure came on them last night at half time, they showed their mettle and turned it around brilliantly. Atmosphere turned very quickly in the first half once we started well. Tielemans and McGinn were the midfield pairing when we effectively ended their title bid there a couple of seasons ago. It wasn't as it we put two kids in there when Onana went off. Huge pressure on them, Rice injured etc and we have been their bogey team for a few years. If they go on and win the title they will point to this game being the key one. Not sure how any neutral would want Man City and their cheating to win it out again.

I want 115 to win it again so I can immediately dismiss it due to the charges still not being dealt with. As for Woolwich showing their "mettle", the contributions of Emi, Sancho and the ref had a large bearing on the outcome. That is not to say that the home side didn't deserve their win, they did thoroughly, but there was more to it than just the result. The same could be said of our loss at Liverpool.

[cdbearsfan]

Yeah, Man City wins don't count. Arsenal can fuck off, they shouldn't even be in the top flight.

[Brazilian Villain]

I agree with CD and Nev. Plus Arteta will be under serious pressure if they don't win the title or Champions League.

[RamboandBruno]

Our next three league games
Forest (H)
Palace (A)
Everton (H)

Arsenals

Bournemouth (A)
Liverpool (H)
Forest (A)

I know we all come out in boils and scurvy at the thought of playing Palace, but their not in a great place at the moment. Moyes will make it tough to beat Everton, but I can see us getting 9 points. Whereas it wouldn’t surprise me if Arsenal drew with Liverpool, the gap then becomes 4. There really isn’t loads in this.

[cdbearsfan]

Arsenal aren't the issue. They'll bottle it. They'e won the league in December about ten years running. Man City will win every game for the last three months, as ever, so we would need to be at least five or six points clear by Easter to have a realistic chance of winning the league.

It isn't going to happen.

Get top four wrapped up by the Liverpool game and go all out for the Europa League, please.

[algy]

I don’t give a shit who wins the league if it’s not Villa.

Except for Chelsea and the racist, Rangers-loving twats that support them. They can go to hell.

[Dante Lavelli]

Not nice to lose but I think most of us expected it due to the quality not available to us on the day. Plenty of positives yesterday though:

1) With the squad temporary depleted, better to lose to top of the league than a game we are expected to win.
2) Cash and Kamara got a much needed rest.
3) Blooded new players.
4) Two Arsenal games out the way and only reached halfway point of the season.
5) Chelsea and Man Utd had a nightmare and show no signs of improving.
6) Title talk binned which reduces pressure.
7) Man City will win league anyway which will really fuck Arses off.
Our players will be really focused on beating Forest and getting back on track. Unai won't accept anything less.

Not nice but not bad.

Agree with this.

Forest are not as bad as the league suggests so being fully focused and fresh is critical.