Philippe Coutinho's return to the Premier League with Aston Villa has generated nothing but positivity.
With good reason, too, because the former Liverpool star has been exceptional on the pitch at times, and nothing short of very good at others, since arriving at Villa Park in the January window.
The more he plays, the more the securing of his signature on loan from Barcelona looks to have been a masterstroke by Villa boss Steven Gerrard, his former Liverpool team-mate. And not just on the field because he has slotted brilliantly into a dressing-room with no shortage of South Americans, too.
Such has been Coutinho’s impact that many of those who questioned why Arsenal were also considering a move for him in January are being forced to concede that his best days clearly aren’t behind him. That the hunger and desire he had during his Anfield days hasn’t long since departed.
Yet, despite all that, here at Villa Park he was outshone by Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe, the young Gunners again delivering the goods which showed why boss Mikel Arteta knew he could do without the Brazilian. Odegaard, in the No.10 role, in particular had a fine game.
And to his right, goalscorer Saka produced even more than the Norwegian until he was caught by a heavy challenge from England team-mate Tyrone Mings soon after giving his side the lead. He was still a threat afterwards as well, just not quite of the same level he had been, as he linked superbly with Cedric Soares down the right.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Do Arsenal need Coutinho? Let us know in the comments section.
On the other side of the field, Smith Rowe and Kieran Tierney gave Arsenal a width that caused Villa trouble for good periods of this game. So it’s no wonder Arteta had and has such faith in the three of them, and in Gabriel Martinelli as well. If the Spaniard can keep them together — and there’s no reason he can’t if the club keeps moving forward in the same way it has this season — then in two or three years’ time they will be frightening.
Odegaard is playing so well at the moment that there are few players in the top flight running games any better than him. What a pleasure it is to see him showcasing his talents in the top flight after failing to make the breakthrough at Real Madrid. It’s a testament to the mental strength he possesses. The embrace he shared with Coutinho at the final whistle showed the respect there is for Odegaard from those who have been there and done it as well.
Arsenal could, of course, still move for Coutinho in the summer and with European football all but certain, Arteta will want more bodies in to spread the workload. But even a player of his calibre will arrive as an equal to Arsenal’s bright young things and certainly not as a superior.
If they do secure fourth spot ahead of Manchester United, West Ham and Tottenham, then this result will be one they look back on as having been vital. They were excellent in the first half but up against in the second and clung on in a way they perhaps wouldn’t have in recent years.
Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey were excellent in the holding midfield roles, cutting off the supply line to Coutinho, Ollie Watkins and, when he emerged from the substitutes’ bench, Danny Ings. And when the ball did get past them, Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes were solid at the back.
But not for the first time, it was the creative boys who stood out, and Arsenal fans the prospect of seeing them testing themselves in the Champions League next season is one that must have fans of the club salivating.
