Arsenal thrash Villa 1-1

BBC SPORT : Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa

Oh dear! Not for the first time in recent history Arsenal dominated a game in which they went behind and struggled to rescue a point from. On the wide open space that is the Emirates pitch Arsenal are always going to see a lot of possetion and so it was against Villa. Arsenal bossed the match with something like 65% of the ball. We created a large number of chances but a combination of Sorenson, goal line clearances, disallowed goals and the bar managed to keep us out for 85 minutes. In the meantime rather worryingly Villa scored from what must go down as a blunder from Lehmann. He came for a corner that was never going to be his and as a result the goal was wide open for Mellberg to score.

The biggest positive for Arsenal surely must have been the immediate effect that Walcott had after coming on. The kid is quick, we all know that, but he's also direct and tenacious. He was playing wide left, testiment to the fact he can play pretty much anywhere in the attacking third. He had a number of surging runs and it was his cross that ultimately found Gilberto on the edge of the 6 yard box who slammed home the equalizer.

After the match Wenger was at pains to point out that 7 of Arsenal's players played 90 minutes in international friendlies midweek. It certainly looked as though a number of the Arsenal lads were some way short of fitness. Henry and Ljungberg must only be 75% fit. Wenger described France's decision to play Henry despite him not having played in any preseason games as 'disrespectful'. Too Right!

On a positive note Liverpool managed to play a stinker against Sheffield United and only took a point in a 1-1 draw. Also Spurs took a beating off of Bolton losing 2-0 when the scoreline could have been much worse!

Let's hope Man U and Chelsea can drop some points today!