EPL Match Day 37: Arsenal v Aston Villa Match Preview

It used to be that this match up was one to look forward to. It was for me at least a measure of how good Arsenal were playing against Aston Villa. They were always a competitive team and you knew they would give you their all. Oh how this has changed.

Instead of being a marquee matchup of two teams it is greeted with a certain degree of – yeah so? Arsenal’s current form would be no better than a struggle for relegation if they hadn’t been good earlier. Aston Villa – well three wins away from home all season is hardly anything to shout about isn’t it.

There isn’t much more to say about this Arsenal squad is there? The season is pretty much over unless by some fluke of heaven both United and Chelsea suddenly forget their place and wind up losing the last two matches of season (not likely). As Arsenal fans we will begin the long summer of wondering what if – what if Arsenal hadn’t choked up significant leads against Newcastle or Spurs. What if Emmanuel Eboue actually knew what he was doing and didn’t commit the foul he did against Liverpool. What if we had actually beat some of those teams we should’ve but didn’t. Honestly this is all we are left with as well as the potential for an offseason of wondering whether or not the club, the managers and players understand how dissatisfied we are with the current state of things.

Our summer is going to be one of  looking at the comings and goings of players to try and ascertain that. We’ll look to see if Wenger finally understands that he has too much dead wood on the squad. We’ll also be hoping that some of the names we are linked to actually come through. For me, I am especially eager to see if Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro actually comes in. To me he is the pefect 9 to Van Persie’s 10. Either way this will be an interesting summer for all of us.

But for now there is the matter of this tie. For Arsenal they have to be keenly aware that anything short of win means that Manchester City have the opportunity to over take them in third and then Arsenal would be in the position of having to play a run in to the Champion’s League by qualifying in.

Team freshman Laurent Koscielny will be out which means the long awaited return of Thomas Vermaelen returns. For me this is the heart of defence and I’ll be interested to see how he pairs with Djourou. Both are good in the air but Vermaelen is more of a finished product. Djourou remember is playing his first full year as a starter and while there are still defencive issues to work out, Djourou has been solid throughout.  But Vermaelen is the rock – he is a lot more “steel” to me than Djourou and Kosicelny. He is our version of Vidic and his presence has been missed. It will be good to see him.

How the Match Should Play Out:

I suspect it will play exactly like it did at Villa Park. The Villa defence is woeful. Especially on the road. Look for sustained pressure early from the home side. The question is can the Gunners convert on that pressure. I think they can and frankly given how they’ve been at home since November – 18 league and cup matches without a loss – and the stature of their opponent Arsenal come out with the win.

Players to Watch:

Arsenal: Thomas Vermaelen. The Vermaelinator is back. Sure he won’t be any kind of steely form. But he’s back. Let’s hope his injury offers no long lasting affects.

Villa: Darren Bent. Is there a big club this guy can’t score on?

Probable Starting XI:

Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Fabianski (shoulder) Koscielny (thigh) Rosicky (thigh) Diaby (calf) Nasri (D – hamstring)

Villa:  Clark (hamstring)

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Van Persie 20  (16 league) Nasri 15 (10 league)

Villa: Bent  18 (15 league) A Young 9 (7 league)

Last Meeting: (EPL)
Arsenal: 4

Villa: 2

Goals For:
Arsenal: 1.8 (home)

Villa: 1.1 (away)

Goals Against:
Arsenal: 0.7 (home)

Villa 2.2 (away)

Last Five:
Arsenal: LWLDD

VIlla: DLDWW

Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 30

Villa: -13

Match Officials:
Referee: Michael Oliver
Assistant referees: Ron Gansfield & Bob Pollock
Fourth official: Andy D’Urso

Broadcast Information:
US: Foxsoccer.Tv 1100 EST

UK: Sky Sports 1 1600 BST

GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!
www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2

Villa:  0

The Final Word

Well earlier I said it would take a miracle for Arsenal to revive any title hopes – alas as suspected they was never going to happen, as suspected Manchester United won their 19th title today by securing a point against Blackburn. It is only fitting for United that this title was essentially won on a penalty call by Fat Phil Dowd.. Canny bit of subbing by Fergie to swap Dowd for Webb.

Anyway, I have jest you do have to have some amount of respect for the Red Devils. And for Fergie and for Ryan Giggs that makes 12 titles together. A picture of consistency and an absolute desire to win. Sadly, it is something I feel that is lacking at Arsenal.

I also read with delight this week comments made by Roberto Mancini about Cesc Fabregas. After beating Spurs in the mid week, Mancini was asked what player would get them over the hump and possibly win the title. He said Cesc Fabregas. The press looking for a story immediately took that as a sign that City were going to go after Fabregas – the fact that most of the papers ran with it as a major story is quite comical. Mancini did not say – we are going after Fabregas, he responded to the question. The press then went on to say that Mancini would use David Silva, to convince his Spanish friend to persuade Fabregas to come to City. There are a couple of issues with that story.

First if the English press had actually been paying attention, they would know that the only place Cesc has said he would agree to a transfer to is Barcelona. He especially made it a point of saying that he would never play for another English club outside of Arsenal. For sure Arsenal would never sell Cesc to another English club – if they were to sell him at all.

Second is this whole David Silva friend thing. I would like anyone to dig through the articles on Cesc and see where he mentions the whole David Silva is my friend. It’s never happened. The only players he ever mentions are the core of Barcelona. He never mentions anyone else. Sure, they are teammates on the Spanish side but nothing more. There is no “friend” between the two. In my opinion its another case of lazy journalism. Trying to stoke the fire for a story – Cesc transfer saga part deux – that will likely take place throughout the summer. Rather than actually report the whole story the English sporting press take the easy road and create stories from nuggets and make a story that isn’t one. Alas – writers wonder why the English supporters mistrust them so.

As for Cesc going, while I am no longer of the ilk that we would be lost without him, I still think he is here come this fall. The financial situation at Barcelona has not improved. All accounts say they will not improve their bid over last season and will actually come in lower. Arsenal don’t need to sell – he is under contract after all and finally I am not sure the Barcelona fans want him there any more. The gaffe in the Champion’s League looms large for Fabregas. In the aftermath of that match over 50% of Barcelona fans said they did not want him there. Any way, we shall see won’t we.

The final nugget is this – it shall be an interesting Sunday at the Emirates. As the last home match of the season the players will do their traditional walk around the pitch. There is certain to be a vocal group of dissatisfied fans. No doubt the predominant voices will be those who will cheer the squad but it will be interesting to see.  Especially given that prior to the match a group of supporters in black and yellow will march to the Emirates in an attempt to get the board to hear their grievances agains how the club is being run – especially in light of the recent ticket price hikes. The organizers have been absolutely clear this is not a Wenger out march or an anti-team march. It is a march against the continual squeezing out of the core fan base.

While I applaud the organizers I do doubt it will have any lasting impact on the club. Unless we are talking thousands of fans it will be brushed off as a noisy group and that is all. I wish them all the luck and will pray they achieve something.

Till next time.

Stay Goonerish!!!

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