For the second time in a week, Arsenal inexplicably travel to the third place team in the league in what is another testing game, in this recent tough period for the Gunners. A victory would extend Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to 8 points, albeit possibly for a few hours only with Manchester City playing Sunderland at 3pm however, failure to win would give massive encouragement to the chasing pack and could see their lead cut to just two points if the results on the day really go against them. The stakes are once again, higher than ever, and with Aston Villa currently flying high as well, the pressure is really on…time to see what this Arsenal team is really made of!
Areas of encouragement
It wasn’t sparkling in midweek, but Arsenal returned to something resembling control against Brentford and kept an all important clean sheet, which should give them belief that they can do the same against Villa today. Although Arsenal lack depth in defence right now, they have nearly a full bench to choose from in an attacking sense so have plenty of options to mix things up if the game doesn’t go our way, which will be a massive boost for Mikel Arteta. With both teams playing tough games in midweek, you expect the defences to tire late on in the game so those pacey options from the bench from likes of Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli could play a key role in where the three points end up.
Areas of concern
As I mentioned above, Villa are playing high right now and will be full of confidence with the home crowd smelling an upset from the off, so Arsenal are going to need to do what they can to quieten the crowd early on and to not give Villa any encouragement in the early stages. Arsenal’s apparent centre half shortage is also really worrying, with Mosquera going down in the week and adding to the previous absences of William Saliba and Gabriel. If Saliba is not fit enough for this one, Arsenal will have to shuffle their deck a bit and that is something we want to avoid at all costs as continuity in the back line is key to Arsenal’s ability to repel opposition attacks.
What I’d love to see
A return to the lineup from William Saliba. With Cristhian Mosquera going off in the week, the return of the Frenchman feels more vital than ever. We really need him for this one. I’d also love to see us get in behind Villa in the early stages and really make them think about their high line.
What I’d hate to see
It seems a bit obvious to say, but the opposite of the above – the absence of William Saliba. I’d also hate to see a really leggy performance, similar to what we saw at Chelsea. Villa are a high energy team and we really need to match them, especially in midfield.
Key Battle
I’m not expecting us to be completely overrun in this game, but given the level Villa are currently playing at and the fact they are at home, I’d expect them to have spells in the game where they are on top and the key to Arsenal getting a key result is how they ride out these periods. Morgan Rogers is key to the Villa attack so I think how Martin Zubimendi matches up against Rogers and how he manages to contain him, will the key battle.
Lineup and Team News
Despite the above concerns regarding William Saliba potentially not making this game, I actually expect him to start this one, in what would be a massive boost for the Gunners. This would see Jurrien Timber return to right back with Hincapie and Calafiori making up the other half of the defence. Martin Zubimendi has played a lot of football lately, yet Arsenal can ill afford to rest him for such a big game so he should start in the midfield engine room, with Martin Odegaard ahead of him and, in perhaps the surprise change, Mikel Merino also in midfield. Declan Rice is apparenty going to make this one however, starting him could be a really risk so he’ll have to ride the bench for this one. Merino is the obvious choice to step back into midfield, despite his exploits and recent good form in the number 9 position, the team as whole would benefit from him taking Rice’s position and it’s not like we don’t have others that can play upfront, with the returning Viktor Gyokeres desperate to get back out on the pitch.
I expect Bukayo Saka will start again on the right, with Gyokeres upfront and Eberechi Eze slotting in on the left side of midfield, leaving the pace of Madueke and Martinelli on the bench for later in the game.
Predicted lineup:
Raya
Timber
Saliba
Hincapie
Calafiori
Zubimendi
Merino
Odegaard
Saka
Gyokeres
Eze
Substitutes:
Arrizabalaga
White
Lewis-Skelly
Norgaard
Rice
Jesus
Martinelli
Trossard
Madueke
PREDICTION
This one is huge. Absolutely huge. Another game where it’s just the result that matters. Arsenal won at Villa Park last season 2-0 and I can see them repeating the scoreline again this time. 2-0 to The Arsenal. COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!