Three Things We Learned As Arsenal vs Aston Villa looms

David Raya’s reflexes ensured Arsenal hold onto another crucial three points to return to the summit. 

Here's Ian Mills with his regular reaction as Arsenal gear up to face Aston Villa 

1 - A triumph in adversity:

– having seen Jurrien Timber ruled out of this game (officially due to managing his heavy load of games) and after losing Riccardo Calafiori in the warm up, we started this game with Declan Rice at right back.

We got off to a fast start despite our defensive injury crisis and were quickly ahead through Martin Odegaard’s first goal of the season.

Our captain has suffered more than most with injuries so far, yet this was a lot more like the Odegaard of old and his finish was a well-worn one from his repertoire with a tremendous low shot into the bottom corner. We should have been ahead by more at half time.

Despite doubling our lead, we again conceded from an opponent’s first effort on target and then were indebted to the agility of David Raya who saved brilliantly from Yankuba Minteh to preserve our lead.

2 - Once again, our finishing was not good enough:

– Viktor Gyokeres shot tamely at goal with an early opening whilst Gabi Martinelli wasted a glorious chance to seal the game but blazed over five yards from goal.

Declan’s defensive diligence – if there is one player that is currently embodying this Arsenal’s side determination to drag themselves over the line it is Declan Rice.

He is the driving force of the side and is clearly ready to play in any position to help this time achieve its goals.

It is to be hoped that Timber will be fit enough to start the crucial game against Third place Aston Villa so that the England man can return to the midfield.

Rice continues to contribute at both ends of the pitch and it was his pinpoint delivery that was headed into his own net by Georgino Rutter – amazingly the fourth own goal we have benefitted from in our last three home games.

3 - Overcoming a home hoodoo:

– whilst absolutely not wishing to sound as if football did not exist before the formation of the Premier League, Arsenal and Brighton had not played each other much until the last 10 years or so and in that time The Seagulls have enjoyed several successes at our home ground.

In nine league and cup meetings prior to this season they have beaten us four times with two games drawn and only three home victories.

We rode a luck a little in the first half of the Carabao Cup success in October and with this win we hopefully have finally laid to rest something of a hoodoo.

Up next are another side with a good recent record away to us. Aston Villa arrive on the back of eleven straight wins and who are unbeaten on their last two visits.

The pain of the last gasp defeat at Villa Park is still very fresh in the memory, we will need to be at our very best to beat them on Tuesday evening.