Arsenal welcome Aston Villa to The Emirates this evening in what is largely being billed as Arsenal’s opportunity for revenge following the last gasp defeat at Villa Park, at the start of the month. I think that game will be one of those that will haunt the Arsenal players for a good while, regardless of the outcome of this one, but I think a win tonight would certainly go some way in healing those wounds. It would personally make me feel a lot better and that’s without evening thinking about what a huge game this is. Aston Villa are riding a wave right now and winning games that their performances probably don’t fully warrant, yet winning is a habit and this is a team that clearly have found a way to win ugly, so they cannot be underestimated.
Arsenal know that a win will put the pressure on City for a change, by opening up a 5 point lead at the top of the Premier League, and guarantee that they sit in top spot going into the New Year. Any dropped points will give both City and Villa massive encouragement and must be avoided at all costs! This game is absolutely huge.
Areas of encouragement
There’s questions marks over a few defenders, but generally speaking the Arsenal squad is getting back to near full strength now so there should be plenty of attacking options for Mikel Arteta to choose from, should he need to turn to this bench. Kai Havertz is the latest one to return to full training, which is a massive boost. As is, the return of Gabriel, who will likely start this one. Both are big characters in this group and their return comes at a perfect time really.
Martin Odegaard looked back to his best against Brighton at the weekend and if he can continue that kind of form coming into this one, we should be able to create chances against this Villa team.
The motivation from Arsenal’s side to put things right following that painful defeat will surely be used to light a fire under each of the players who step onto the pitch this evening, which must surely be a positive sign.
Areas of concern
Villa have proven that they can absorb heavy pressure and still come out with the points so Arsenal are going to have to watch out for the sucker punch here. Villa are strong on the transition and have players who can really hurt us so we need to make sure that the back door remains closed.
Villa have also proven that they can use their bench to great affect, including in the reverse fixture, so we know that they will be a threat right up until the last whistle and must use our bench in the same way to try and match whatever the Villains throw at us.
If neither Jurrien Timber or Ben White are fit to start this one, I’m a bit concerned about what that will mean for our midfield, as Declan Rice will likely have to continue at right back. Rice proved against Brighton that he is more than up to the challenge however, we really miss his presence in the centre of the park whenever he’s absent.
What I’d love to see
For my nerves, an early goal would be amazing. Get the crowd up, get the adrenaline pumping that bit faster. That would be huge. I’d also love to see a really clinical performance from Arsenal, one where we don’t need 4/5 gilt edge chances to score!! The wastefulness of our attack has put our defence under a lot of pressure in the last few games, it’s time for the forwards to do them a favour and step up!
What I’d hate to see
I’d hate to see Arsenal let the game drift, as they have done in the past few outings, only to just about get away with it. I don’t think we’ll be so lucky against Villa so we need to keep our foot on the pedal all the way to the end.
I’d also hate to see our attack by so wasteful again. Those big chances have to go in tonight!
Key Battle
Martin Odegaard was excellent against Brighton and if Arsenal can get him on the ball in dangerous areas, the Norwegian could have a lot of joy this evening. Andrea Onana has been a menace against Arsenal in several previous encounters for both Villa and Everton, so is likely to be tasked with shutting down our Captain’s space by any means necessary, so who comes out on top in this battle could go a long way in deciding the outcome of this fixture.
Lineup and Team News
The substitute appearance of Gabriel in the last game out should mean that he returns to the centre of defence alongside William Saliba, which would be a massive boost given what’s at stake tonight. There are still question marks over both Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, with little or no updates on their fitness, so hopefully Mikel Arteta is just trying to play a bit of mind game here and they both return against Villa. From what I’ve read, Timber sounds like more of a precaution so I’m expecting him to start this one and even if Calafiori doesn’t make it, Piero Hincapie should be an able deputy.
Timber’s return could have a massive impact in both defence and midfield as it will allow Declan Rice to return to the engine room, where he is so key in these big matches. Skipper Martin Odegaard should continue to play ahead of Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi should also retain his place in what is now our clear first choice midfield.
In attack, there are question marks as Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli are both knocking on the door and summer signings Noni Madueke and Eze, have not emerged from the bench at all in the past two outings.
That said, I think Arteta will again go with Leandro Trossard on the left and Viktor Gyokeres in attack, with Bukayo Saka taking his usual place on the right hand side.
Kai Havertz is apparently with the squad, so I expect him to be among what is a strong looking bench. Rumours of Ben White also being touch and go for this one are also doing the rounds so I could also see White making the cut and starting on the bench.
We knew this day would come, but given the size of Arsenal’s squad, there are a couple of names that will miss out of the first team squad entirely, if the likes of Timber and Calafiori are fit enough to start and Havertz and White return to the bench. I’d expect Christian Norgaard to drop out entirely and the other name is probably more worrying. Ethan Nwaneri has found minutes hard to come by of late and is therefore also likely to drop out, given what other options Arsenal have on the bench. It’s a nice problem to have, but it’s certainly concerning for the much lauded Hale End graduate.
Predicted lineup:
Raya
Timber
Saliba
Gabriel
Hincapie
Zubimendi
Rice
Odegaard
Saka
Gyokeres
Trossard
Substitutes:
Arrizabalaga
Lewis-Skelly
White
Merino
Eze
Havertz
Jesus
Madueke
Martinelli
PREDICTION
I said it last time out , but it didn’t happen so I’m saying it again, sooner or later Arsenal are going to be really clinical in a Premier League match and win comfortably and there’s no time like the present, given everything that is at stake with this one! I’m going 3-0 to The Arsenal.