Source: Daily_Mail
Aston Villa 2 Arsenal 4: Gunners back to winning ways after repelling Villa onslaught
Arsenal survived a second-half onslaught from Aston Villa to regain - at least temporarily - the leadership of the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]The Gunners looked to be cruising to victory after dominating the opening 45 minutes and netting through Andrey Arshavin and Samir Nasri.[LNB]But Villa were transformed in the second period and Ciaran Clark struck twice either side of Marouane Chamakh's 10th goal of the campaign before Jack Wilshere's injury-time clincher.[LNB]It enabled Arsene Wenger's side to end an unhappy week on a high note after the derby defeat by Tottenham and the Champions League setback away to Braga.[LNB] Star man: Marouane Chamakh is grabbed by Tomas Rosicky after firing Arsena's third[LNB]Arsenal played some superb flowing football with Arshavin and Nasri a constant threat.[LNB]But their soft under belly, which had seen them throw away a two-goal lead against Spurs, was almost exposed again.[LNB]Ashley Young posed more of a threat in the second period while Clark showed his potential.[LNB]Arsenal were almost gifted the lead in the opening 30 seconds after sloppy play by Stephen Warnock.[LNB]He played the ball straight into the path of Arshavin who released Chamakh inside the box.[LNB]Villa keeper Brad Friedel partially blocked the shot but it needed James Collins to make a goal-line clearance.[LNB]The Gunners were first to settle and Tomas Rosicky squandered a clearcut opening.[LNB]Nasri was the creator with aperfectly weighted pass to leave Rosicky with only Friedel to beat buthe drilled his shot across the face of goal.[LNB] Back in the game: Aston Villa's Ciaran Clark makes it 3-2[LNB]The Villa midfield was being by-passed by the quality passing and movement of Wenger's side.[LNB]Arsenal continued to dominate andFriedel saved from Rosicky away to his right although he did not makefull contact on his shot.[LNB]Villa were being pulled apart almostat will and Arshavin had a shot deflected for a corner after exchangingpasses with Chamakh.[LNB]Nasri dragged a shot just past the post as the home side hung on desperately.[LNB]It was 26 minutes before Villa created a worthwhile chance - and Ashley Young should have given them the lead.[LNB]Stewart Downing's dangerous,inswinging centre found it's way to Young unmarked inside the six yardbox at the post but he sent his shot over the bar.[LNB]Villa tried to get a foothold in thegame and Laurent Koscielny had to be alert to cut out a dangerous crossfrom the overlapping Warnock after good play by Bannan.[LNB]But it was no surprise when Arshavin put the Gunners ahead after 39 minutes.[LNB] Fine strike: Andrey Arshavin (right) breaks the deadlock[LNB]Arshavin picked the ball up on theleft and cut inside and past the challenge of Richard Dunne beforefiring a low shot into the far corner of the net.[LNB]Nasri could have made it 2-0 aminute later when he slipped the ball wide of Friedel but drilled hiseffort into the side netting.[LNB]Friedel made a superb save to keep out Chamakh's header from Bacary Sagna's cross.[LNB]But a minute before half-time Nasri made it 2-0 with a superb volley direct from Arshavin 's corner.[LNB]Houllier opted for a half-time change with Nathan Delfouneso replacing Robert Pires and giving support up front to John Carew.[LNB] Plain sailing? Samir Nasri hits Arsenal's second to make it 2-0[LNB][LNB]After 52 minutes Clark reduced the arrears with his first senior goal for the club.[LNB]Bannan's cross was only half clearedby Sebastien Squillaci to Clark on the edge of the box and hisleft-footed drive flew past Lukasz Fabianski into the roof of the net.[LNB]Villa were transformed after their ineffective first half performance but in the 56th minute Chamakh restored Arsenal's two goal advantage.[LNB]Rosicky played the ball into the path of the striker who managed to flick the ball under Friedel's body.[LNB]Houllier brought on Stephen Ireland for Carew after 66 minutes.[LNB] [LNB] Familiar face: Robert Pires lined up against his former club[LNB] [LNB]Clark had a golden chance to net a second goal but screwed his shot wide from 10 yards out.[LNB]But after 71 minutes the youngster did strike again.[LNB]Ashley Young's corner was flicked on by Dunne and Clark forced the ball over the line.[LNB]Chamakh was yellow carded for a challenge on Dunne. Friedel denied Chamakh on the edge of the box after being freed by Arshavin.[LNB]But the Gunners looked nervy when Villa ventured forward in a tense finish.[LNB]Wilshere made it 4-2 from Chamakh's cross in injury-time.[LNB] Touchline meltdown: But Wenger and Houllier can handle the pressureFabregas backs beloved Barca to see off their bitter rivals Real MadridAston Villa v Arsenal: The action as it happenedARSENAL FC
