Blast from the past: Arsenal 3-2 Aston Villa 2001-2002 review

Thierry was on fire in the second half against the Villa

Every Thursday (when I can) I will search the archives and comment on a fragment from seasons gone by. This might be match results, individual moments of brilliance whether its a goal or just a piece of great skill, famous quotes etc. This week I will be looking back at the game between Arsenal and Villa played at Highbury on the 9Th December 2001.

To put this game into context, although the Gunners’ away home was exceptional, their home form was stuttering. Defeats to Leeds (2-1) earlier in the season and Charlton (4-2) just a month before the Villa game put the pressure on Wenger’s boys to improve performances at Highbury if they were going to put a sustained challenge. By the time the game kicked off, Arsenal were 4Th in the table as Newcastle had won against Ipswich and had 27 points, Leeds won against Blackburn to give them 28 points while Liverpool were top with 32 points. Villa themselves were on 24 points just 2 points behind Arsenal who had 26.

 

Arsenal started well but there was an air of nervousness evident in their play and Villa seemed to have the greater steel. The Villans defense kept out every Gunners attack and also scored scored two goals on the counter-attack with old boy Merson and Stone getting them. At half-time with Villa leading 2-0, this game seemed dead and buried and it looked like they would overtake the Gunners. Wenger addressed this by bringing on Wiltord for Freddie Ljungberg and Keown came up for Upson who had a nightmare in defence. From what I recall, this performance from Upson was the final nail in the coffin for any future he had at Arsenal.

 

The substitutions had a dramatic impact at both ends for Arsenal. The defence looked more studier and no sooner the second half started, Wiltord with his shirt sleeves rolled up, promptly scored to claw the game back. It was the kind of determination that was needed. From there on, the Gunners put more pressure on Villa and with twenty minutes to go, Vieira squared for Henry to score after nicking the ball off Samuel. And with one minute to go, Henry took Pires pass to score the winner and the fightback was complete.

 

Villa were left completely stunned at the final whistle while Henry and co realised the magnitude of this victory. Of course they went on to lose another home game this time against Newcastle before Christmas. However this result went a long way to indicating to many (including John Gregory, then Villa manager) that the Gunners could win the league which they duly did after remaining unbeaten in the league for the season post Christmas. Indeed they even managed to stay unbeaten away for the whole season which from what I recollect was a first, in the Premiership at least. A magnificent comeback, the current generation of Arsenal players could no worse by watching the video of this game.

* Picture taken from BBC Photo Gallery. All rights belong to BBC Sports. *

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