Talking Points: Arsenal vs Aston Villa, 17th August 2013

The season opener for the Arsenal turned out to be a step in the wrong direction, after they were outplayed by a supposedly lesser side called Aston Villa. The Villans looked in the driver’s seat on very few occasions, but were able to get the better of Wenger’s men eventually, proving that luck has more to do with the result than statistical indulgence.

Arsenal had 16 shots as opposed to half of that from Paul Lambert’s men. With the 1-3 loss, Arsenal have now reset the meter for the record 20 years, that they had either won or drawn on the opening weekend. The last they lost was a 3-0 defeat by Coventry.

Buy Bye

Wenger needs to think about signings

Let’s get this out of the way first. Arsenal were lacking in many areas, although not as desperately as they should have. The defense needed a leg up, inspite of Bacary Sagna stretching to desperately keep the ball from slide past, on more than two occasions. The midfield looked the most content; content with just being able to create and seldom looking to pounce on a chance. Lastly, the attack, or simply Olivier Giroud, did more than he was expected to do, which was show up, and he even scored.

Arsenal need to buy, simple. A bloody Kieran Gibbs was replaced by Carl Jenkinson, who was never a left back to begin with. He might be decent in the position, but he is no Philip Lahm.

A man up front, a holding midfielder, a man between the sticks to threaten Szczesny out of his comfort zone and a center back to fill Vermaelen’s spot; that should complete Wenger’s shopping list. A 3-1 loss, zero spending and lackluster play on the first day back at work is by no means a sign of better things to come.