Aston Villa gunned down in Emirates by Fabregas

This should be one of the best in Fabregas's career. Atleast one of the best I have watched. Arsenal gave Villa all sorts of trouble from start but in the second 10minutes Aston Villa got settled well and started to attack too.

Arsenal started without Fabregas in the starting XI as expected. He suffered a hamstring strain and was rested as a weapon which will be only used when needed the most.

Almunia
Sagna-Gallas-Vermaelen-Traore
Denilson-Song
Nasri--------------------Eduardo
Diaby
Arshavin

The line-up looked more like a traditional one with two sitting midfielders to clear the threat and then launch attack through wings with Diaby as a supporting striker upfront. But the game looked different with Denilson coming forward as CM as usual and Song doing the defensive midfielder role alone. Arsenal looked a big threat with their attacks and Eduardo again missed an easy chance very early in the match. Eduardo seems to be getting better with his touches but still struggling with his finishing. Aston Villa played to their strengths, the attacks through the wings. The attack in wings was the only thing they could do with Ashley Young and Downing on the side. Refereeing throughout the match was excellant and he seems to be very decent and fair in his approach. The whole game was looking like a 0-0 draw until 56minute when Arsene Wenger decided to make the best decision ever in his substitutions by bring on Fabregas. It was a very early decision to bring him on but to be frank had never seen such an impact from an substitute player in this season.

Fabregas came on from the bench, the whole game changed. Looked like he should be always playing like a substitute. :-). He took the oppourtunity when given by converting a freekick to score his first goal of the match and also to break the deadlock. Later Fabregas scored his second from a counter attack launched by Vermaelen through Walcott and Walcott set it up for a sweet strike by Cesc. But to the horror of the fans second goal again strained the hamstring and later Fabregas was substituted with Aaron Ramsey. Walcott came in for Eduardo earlier after the first goal to help to increase the pace. The speed of the whole match changed with Fabregas's introduction. Song started to attack and make runs with Fabregas and that showed the tactic change very clearly and everyone executed their role to perfection. Denilson was substituted to make way for Franscesc Fabregas. It looked like Fabregas created and sealed the victory for Arsenal when Diaby nailed the final nail into Aston Villa coffin by a run from midfield all alone and striking the ball to the left side of the keeper with one defender in front standing his line.

Fabregas looks to be injured again for couple of weeks but Arsenal is waiting now for the scan reports to confirm it. Denilson also is reported to have a back problem same like before. This looks like in case Rosicky is not fit again, Ramsey will be getting some starts this season and also Wilshere's loan move might not be considered itself due to shortage of midfielders. We already had Alex Song off for the African Nations Cup. Wenger had made a statement that in case he is going to miss Fabregas and Denilson both he will also look for midfielders in the winter market. He is left with no choice other than to play Ramsey and Wilshere or buy atleast one experienced midfielder. He also has options to play Nasri in midfield and give Walcott a starting place upfront as part of his strikeforce.