Five Star Gunners

Hector Bellerin scored his first senior goal and was among five different goalscorers as Arsenal smashed Aston Villa 5-0 at the Emirates.

The Spanish youngster continued his run of impressive performances and capped it with a goal to add to earlier strikers from Olivier Giroud, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott and a Santi Cazorla penalty. All of this was done without usual match-winner Alexis Sanchez, who was nursing a hamstring injury, as the Gunners moved back above bitter rivals Tottenham ahead of the upcoming London derby.

Arsene Wenger's men will also have been delighted to have once again kept things tight at the back as goalkeeper David Ospina recorded his fourth clean sheet in as many games.

In fact the only blot on the Gunners' day, from a personal point of view, was the fact that I missed the game. I have seen most of the games this season one way or another except for a small few. It seemed typical that I missed one of the best but as my beloved club are heading in the right direction I definitely can't complain. Arsenal have now claimed 19 points out of a possible 24, including the recent victory away at champions Manchester City, and kept three consecutive clean sheets in the league. Onwards and upwards.

Arsenal were also aided by Southampton's 1-0 home defeat by Swansea, meaning the now fifth-placed Gunners are only behind the Saints on goal difference. The Gunners are only one point behind third-placed Manchester United and six points behind Manchester City, so if they can keep up this good run of form, who knows, this could yet be a positive season.

Arsenal opened the scoring after just eight minutes and Ozil's contribution was simply sublime. The Germany international got a lot of criticism for his performances prior to the World Cup and missed the opening months of the season due to injury. But, after two goals in as many games and some excellent touches, maybe, just maybe, he is on his way back to his best. It is too early to say yet but at least his current form is a big improvement. As for the assist for the goal, it was truly wonderful. Per Mertesacker cleared the ball out from defence and Ozil produced the deftest of flicks to release Giroud, who raced clear on goal. The French striker almost got the ball stuck under his feet but managed to keep his cool before clipping the ball beyond Brad Guzan in the Villa goal.

The Gunners probably should've added to the score before the break but Cazorla's effort hit a post before Aaron Ramsey saw his strike saved by Guzan. Villa, who have now gone six league games without a goal, had a chance to level in the closing minutes of the first half but Ospina was on hand to keep out Andreas Weimann's header.

The visitors had another chance to level within a minute of the restart but Christian Benteke fired his shot wide. That miss proved costly as the Gunners ran riot to pile more misery onto Paul Lambert's relegation-threatened side.

Scorer turned provider as Giroud set up Ozil to double Arsenal's advantage after 56 minutes. Theo Walcott began a counter attack in his own half, racing forward before picking out Giroud. The French striker then released Ozil with a perfectly weighted pass and the World Cup winner ran on to it before calmly shooting into the far corner. In his first two starts following his return from injury Ozil has hit two goals to fill the Gunners' faithful with a bit more encouragement about his ability.

Wenger's men put the result beyond doubt with a third goal after 63 minutes. A quick throw from Ospina set Walcott on a run from inside his own half. Walcott then traded passes with Cazorla, continuing his run forwards and latching onto the Spaniard's return ball before curling a shot beyond Guzan.

Substitute Chuba Akpom had only been on the field five minutes when he won his side a penalty after being brought down in the box by Guzan. Cazorla stepped up and made no mistake as Guzan could only palm the ball into his own net 15 minutes from time.

Akpom was twice denied by Guzan before Cazorla teed up Bellerin to place a low shot into the bottom corner to complete the rout in stoppage time. Villa could've grabbed a consolation through Ashley Westwood but Ospina produced a fine save to keep him out and ensure another clean sheet for the Gunners.

It is a shame new signing Gabriel Paulista didn't get a chance to make his debut off the bench but, after a clinical attacking display and another clean sheet, the Gunners will still head to White Hart Lane for their next game full of confidence.

It could be the perfect time for a derby match, so let's just hope we can produce another fine display.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS