The script was written for Arsenal to secure a comfortable victory in their first Premiership match at the glamorous Emirates Stadium. Sadly things didn't go to plan and Arsenal did just enough to rescue a point. The statistics don't lie but neither does the scoreline.
Arsenal dominated this match with neat and intricate passing but couldn't conjure the end product despite being camped around the Villa penalty area for long periods. Villa stuggled for ideas when they did get possession, giving the ball away far too easily.Mellberg rose well to head home from his team's only corner of the day, his efforts facilitated by Lehmann who flapped at the cross and missed.
Sorensen was peppered with some 19 shots in all and it looked as though he may keep a clean sheet until a neat cross from the encouraging Walcott found Gilberto at the far post to drill the ball in to the roof of the net from a tight angle. Sometimes you just wish Arsenal would let rip at the target rather than trying to find the perfect pass for the perfect goal. Arsenal's lack of ideas in the final third and some poor finishing cost them two points.
Good Stuff: Eboue's effortless runs up and down the right wing.
Bad Stuff: Eboue's unwillingness to shoot when in good positions.
Noticeable: Henry didn't look himself and will need a few games to get back up to speed. Flaminis's lack of pace was exposed at times.
Star Man: Walcott's positive attacking attitude and remarkable pace were worth the wait.
| Arsenal | Stat | Aston Villa |
| 11 | Shots on Target | 3 |
| 8 | Shots off target | 2 |
| 18 | Corners | 1 |
| 2 | Offsides | 5 |
| 10 | Fouls | 17 |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 63% | Possession | 37% |
Arsenal (4-4-2): Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Hoyte (Flamini 80), Hleb, Gilberto, Fabregas, Ljungberg (Walcott 73), Adebayor (van Persie 65), Henry. Unused subs: Almunia, Cygan.
Aston Villa (4-5-1): Sorensen, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Samuel, Agbonlahor, Davies (Hendrie 83), McCann, Barry, Moore (Djemba-Djemba 89), Angel (Laursen 90). Unused subs: Taylor, Phillips
Attendance: 60,023
