Arsenal v Aston Villa; Premier League Match Preview
Anyone taking an away trip to Villa Park should have their head examined. And anyone who jointly overlooks Villa based on their last two results should also have some time with a shrink scheduled. No trip to Villa Park is easy and as this season has shown (ask Norwich) anyone can be beaten.
As Arsene Wenger has challenged the team, they need to find their rythym early. Letting this fixture develop over time is only going cause uneeded consertnation. Villa have actually been good money in the first half of their recent matches. They went up 2-0 to United in the first half and looked good for it against City in the second half. The problems for Lambert’s young side is holding it together for a full 90 mins. They eventually fell 3-2 to United and 5-0 to City – all based on second half performances.
Why is this important? Well, Arsenal have been slow starters this season.Of 12 league matches they have only taken a lead into half-time on 3 occassions this season. On the positive, they’ve only been outscored once in the second half this season. Still, a slow start, giving Villa, a team with nothing to lose at this point an edge is a dangerous proposition, especially for an Arsenal squad still trying to find it’s feet after a run of poor form.
In the derby and the Champion’s League match, things certainly looked to be improving. And the emphatic nature of the derby win and its lasting affect can’t be overlooked. And while Arsenal certainly looked out of kilter in the first half of the Montpellier match, there was very little to be seen in the match that the result was really in doubt. Hopefully, this all points to an upward swing for the Gunners.
Seasons come with ebbs and flows. A team’s success is based on how it handles those down turns as well as the up turns. Everything has to be put into perspective. And while the run of poor form was discouraging, it had to be looked at in a fuller context of a season at whole. It’s why this blog and others never got too low or too high. But as we draw closer to January and when the table begins to really solidfy, we need to have more consistency of the positive kind than the negative kind. And with the big matches for the most part out of the way, its time Arsenal made the teams they should beat their whipping boys.
Arsenal for the most part are returning to health. Theo Walcott remains on the sidelines with a shoulder injury picked up against Spurs. Wenger has said that an Everton return is likely for Theo. Rosicky is back training and there are some rumours he could actually make the bench for this match. Gibbs was on the bench for Montpellier and likely kept out for this match. It would be a good match for him to come back into. I don’t fancy the head to head match up of Vermaelen and Agbonlahor on the wings. We really need pace for that battle. Gervinho is also back and could start but I think Wenger will opt for Oxlade-Chamberlain because of the Englishman’s consistent improvement, pace, and guile.
With the likelihood of Gibbs playing look for Vermaelen to revert back to the central defender position and Laurent Koscielny to rotate back to the bench. That presents Arsenal with its primary back four and starting keeper for the first time since Szczesny went off after the Southampton win. Hopefully, there is a foundation that can be established as this run in through the holiday fixture list begins.
A lot of pundits are calling this match “bankable” for Arsenal. On the surface it should be but the unpredictability of the Premier League means that no match should ever be considered bankable. It only is bankable if Arsenal go out and do their business and build off of the last few weeks.
How the Match Should Play Out:
Lambert will likely opt to use Christian Benteke up front. Villa will look to get the ball up to him in the air with hopes he can bring it down and bring in the midfield trio or get a chance himself. As Michael Cox of Zonal Marking opines, this will mean Per Mertesacker has to have another solid performance. If Mertesacker can negate Benteke’s influence on the game then the scoring threats for the Villans are mitigated. Arsenal will use, as they always do their midfield superiorty to apply pressure to an inexperienced (youthful) side – especially the DMs and back 4. The comebacks of United and the demolition by City were resultant by constant pressure on the back 4. Arsenal can do that in spades. Arsenal have been solid defensively on the road this season and continue to be one of the top teams in limiting a home sides chances. In other words Arsenal should control the ball, overall play and with their attackers getting into a run of good form, they should be able to gain the upper hand. Overall, look for a tight first half and Arsenal to complete the performance with a “professional” 2-0 win.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Woijech Szczesny. He’s back fully now and needs to take control of the defense like he did to take control of the number 1 spot coming into this season. With Mertesacker the vocal leader of the back 4 – look for Szczesny to add to that by taking control of the whole defensive effort. Now about those goal kicks.
Aston Villa: Christian Benteke. Made headlines last week when he declared that Arsenal were a team he would love to play for. That aside he has displaced Darren Bent as Paul Lambert’s choice up front.
Projected Lineups:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Walcott (shoulder), Rosicky (calf), Fabianksi (ankle), Santos (abdomen), Diaby (thigh)
Aston Villa: Bennett (knee), Bent (ankle), N’Zogbia (knee), Herd (knee), Gardner (knee), Dunne (groin)
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Giroud, 4, Cazorla 4, Podolski 4
Aston Villa: Weimann 2, Benteke 2, Bent 2
Assists Leaders:
Arsenal: Walcott 4
Aston Villa: Benteke 2
Last Meeting (FA Cup):
Arsenal: 3
Aston Villa: 0
Goals For:
Arsenal (away): 1.2
Aston Villa (home): 1.4
Goals Against:
Arsenal (away): 0.8
Aston Villa: (home): 1.6
Last Five:
Arsenal: WDLWL
Aston Villa: LLWDL
Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 10
Aston Villa: -12
Match Official:
Referee: Lee Mason (Matches 7 , R0 Y24)
Broadcast Information:
US: Fox Soccer Channel 12:30 AM EST
UK: ESPN UK 17:30
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2
Aston Villa: 0
The Final Word:
Arsenal today announced that have entered into a new agreement with Emirates for an improved shirt deal. The new deal carries the partnership through 2018 and is worth £150 million totally. That package puts it in the top tier of sponsorhip deals and gives the club an additional £30 million a year for use. In it’s statement the club let it be known that the deal was move forward to this year so that the funds would be made available immediately.
If true that £30 million plus the £70 million that is already in the transfer kitty (reportedly) could be used to not only sign premier talent but it could aid in accelerating the restructuring of the overall wage system at Arsenal. It does as Ivan Gazidis states makes the club less reliant on the stadium money and to an extent player sales to improve the financial health of the club.
In addition to this, the Emirates Stadium naming deal will stay in place through 2028. There was no real financial gain on this portion of the deal. The equity in the name is non-existant for Emirates as it already has that equity. Basically the 7-year extension equates to around £2 million of the overall £30 million the club will get annually from the airlines.
There are also rumblings that Adidas could wind up winning the kit making sweepstakes. When the commercial presser for today was announced, the speculation was that the new deal with Adidas would be announced. While it wasn’t Adidas is going full throttle to “own London” in terms of the football clubs. Arsenal and Fulham have been targetted for inclusion on the Adidas stable. They already have their deal with Chelsea. After not renegotiating with Liverpool, they have money to spend and want to get back to gaining ground they’ve lost from Nike.
Nike won’t let Arsenal go without a fight as they still view the London side as a jewel property – especially in light of their increased overseas profile. If Adidas can conclude the deal with Arsenal it could net another £23-£25 million per year.
Overall the Emirates deal and the new kit deal look to be bumper deals in terms of finances for the club. But it raises the question – will the club spend it. They said it’s available. The problem with that is, they’ve had the funds available to Wenger to use and they aren’t used. Ivan Gazidis continues to say that these new commercial deals will put the club in the same financial stratosphere as the big boys and will likely make it one of the top 5 clubs in the world. And while the first salvo – the Emirates deal is a shot in the right direction it will now be up to the club to wield that clout.
Until Tomorrow – Stay Goonerish!
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Wenger has completely and utterly destroyed my lifelong love of soccer.
As an American who spent over half my life in Europe, the game was always number 1. I used to play twice a week and watch probably 12 hours or more of the game a week. Probably even more.
Now? Not only is my interest in Arsenal extremely low, my interest in watching other teams overall has lessened from what it used to be. I did watch and enjoy the Euros though.
Nowadays, I mostly follow football and basketball (pro and college).
Maybe it’s because of worsening time difference (moved to the west coast), but I really don’t see the point in supporting a team where I absolutely HATE the manager and the entire management of the club. For the first time since 96 when I started following Arsenal, I have absolutely ZERO connection to ANY player in the team.
And even the few players that are good (and have upward potential) like Wilshere, I know for a certainty that they’ll LEAVE Arsenal once they get a chance. So I have no interest in these players as I can already see them in other club’s jerseys.
So what exactly is the point.
It is one thing not winning. It is another to have ZERO hope of ever winning in the current set up. End result, I’ve watched probably a grand total of 5 games in the last two years. And not one full game in one sitting. Before that I used to watch (or stream) EVERY SINGLE GAME.
I hope Arsenal fail to make top 4 this year, simply to speed up Wenger’s departure.
Needless to say, the day Arsenal pukes out the cancer that is Wenger, would be a really happy and glorious day for me.
As for the Aston Villa game … it doens’t matter.
well stated and explained Fred…
I feel your pain.
Unfortunately, if and when Wenger goes, if the management set-up remains, it won’t matter much at all… it might be worse, as they’ll only bring in a yes man, who will have no control over who is sold, and how much can be spent on players.
much like yourself… I have gone from Arsenal being MUST SEE… never ever miss a game, travel to London every season to see games…
to watching when they are on TV, and when its convenient for me.
I watch City, because they usually play a good style of football, and there are ex-Arsenal players in the team… and I like watching ManU with RVP in the team, because he’s just so damned good right now.
But frankly, the current regime does not care what we think, or want.
Wenger’s post game press conference says it ALL.
Who are we to ask, judge or question him… he’s been a manager for 30 years.
Arrogant, stubborn, clueless man… and the game has passed him by. He failed to adapt.
Very nice to see some of the old heads back here, even if it’s not under the happiest of circumstances. K-no, I think, might be the former RVP for MVP(?)….With Sesh chiming in and CK swearing at the imperious attitude of his ex, we’ve almost got all the characters. Perhaps a beat down at Everton with our “1st” 11 (Theo, mysteriously injured his contract signing shoulder in the Spurs match but could recover?….) and maybe we’ll even see Mazza and Fred rip the club a new one…. As for me, I’ve been traveling (saw the final half hour of the Fulham match in a cafe in a small town in the eastern Algarve) and what can you add to Vibe’s comment about the Git from his Derby report?….. (Arthur, or any other London based folks, where are you? I need tix–and company–for the Newcastle match on Dec 29….) For me, the comments make the place, so I’d still encourage the DAG to either cut down on the number of articles or their length or take the extra effort to read through them before submitting. I read the piece you did professionally (from the twitter link) and the extra effort (and the brevity, perhaps) made all the difference….
Rotating players after the CL match in midweek and trying to nick something on a rainy night in the midlands….the result cannot be a surprise. Under these circumstances we ARE a mid-table team which just happens to manage a spot in the CL each autumn and maybe a couple of home and aways in late winter. It’s boring (almost beyond belief) but it’s good for the brand, I guess….The argument MUST be that we’re actually pretty fortunate to get a point from matches like Villa away (or Fulham at home) when we have to take care of business (and I do mean business–CL 2nd rounds, not to mention shirt deals = more pounds….) during the week. We just need to keep our nerve in the Spring once we’re out of the other competitions and get up for 4th….CL Qualifiers in August might be nervy, but they stand in nicely for the Emirates Cup (and fetch a higher ticket value, I would guess)…..God forbid we have to play on Thursdays, which tends to do a number on the teams that “challenge” us from the year before…..
As for actual play on the pitch….Has anybody else noticed that we don’t have a midfield? Listen, “oye,” as they would say here in Espana….) I talk up “my” Spaniards (Mikel and Santi) to anyone who will listen but they are, on balance, a step down from the two now playing for Barca (Cesc and Song). Arteta works his ass off but just cannot do it with his skill set and he requires another midfielder and/or at least one fullback tuned into his need for a proper outlet pass. Santi also works extremely hard so maybe he too needs a breather (round trip, first class to Panama?….) Rest is good but the gulf in quality between Wilshere/Sagna to Ramsey/Jenks simply is like the drop to the river in Ronda (another Southern Spanish reference, sorry)….. Longer term (I fear) “good business” dictates that whatever Bac is offered at PSG or Milan or Madrid will not be matched…. “Supporters” would be well advised to forget about using possession to calm games and dominate opponents, even ones below us in the table…..
Given that we cannot do it (the possession thing…) except when teams just back off (end of the first half yesterday….) it’s all about streaming forward, creating some width (sometimes, at least….often with those sweet wide balls from Santi….) and trying to get it back into the big guy in the center. (From the Spurs match I’d say it’s easier when the opponent is down to 10….) Jenkinson can whip them in, but still can’t seem to find the correct height, while Gibbs and Lu-lu-lucas Poldoski looked like they need a few matches to get reintroduced. Now (I guess) our Captain goes back in for Spoon it over from Six (Koscielny), which scare the poo right out of me. At least Sneezy can grab a corner or two rather than just man his line so maybe he’ll call off TV5 before his next mistimed tackle….I suspect we’re going to need a few goals at Everton to get up for the score draw and keep pace with them…..After that it’s all about tracking down West Brom…..
And (of course) the saddest thing of all is that the teams (further) ahead just aren’t very good. CL failures (with and w/o new managers) face off today (and I’ll try to watch it) after ‘Arry, Fresh from Ukraine and up in the stands couldn’t keep the other title contender from a 2nd half flurry and another come-from-behind win. Even here in Spain things look kind of bleak. I went to last Sunday’s (local) match (Granada CF-Atletico Madrid) and saw the next big thing: 26 year old Rademal Falcao. He moves smoothly (and wisely) but his finishing seemed at (or below) the level of someone like, say, that Jelavic fellow we play in midweek. Then last night, Real Betis became the 2nd (!!) Andalusian team to beat Real Madrid. Barca can more or less sleep walk their way to the title from here, even if they can’t win in Glasgow….And speaking of Barca….How about getting Pep G (along with his boy Cesc) to build onto the foundation created by our highest paid employee (AW)? Certainly it seems the best managerial position in London…. Barca supporters around here lament his purchases but our standards are a touch lower, I would think…..Even cynics can dream (or at least conjure something to remain hopeful about)…..Sorry, AA, or K-no….I think Rafa B will target that Cap-1 cup, so we’ll need more than the usual dose of luck to get past (CL free) Chelsea…..
Plenty to more to say, (none of it very positive) but I’ve reached my word limit….Cheers….
Well spokent HTS.
Arsenal has changed b4 our eyes.
Our football is not attractive, at least the current run. Dortmund and Juventes offer much better entertainment and execute like Arsenal of past.
Players play to win, not aim for fourth their goal. 4th is the ambition of Arsene, IG, Stan, and the board.
After the past month, I’m thinking 4th is a challenge. Wow, have my expectations dropped.
Not looking forward to Everton as I see them as a better club that Norwich, Villa, Stoke, Sunderland, Fulham…….even have more respect in Moyes (than Arsene) for finding his talent on a much smaller budget…..and tactically more astute…..willing to change formations to adjust to opponent.
IMO, we have too many youngsters that are limiting the more experienced players. Youngsters who are Arsene’s prize acquistions and getting a disprportionate minutes BESIDES their inconsistent performances.
At the moment I’m very down on our promising youngsters and the only hope is for a quick return and acclimation of Tomas and Diaby. If and a big if, if they can maintain their health, along with Cazorla, Pod, Giroud, and Arteta…..we will have an exciting attack that will rival the 07/08 squad.
Struggling with hope that Arsene can find his form and return Arsenal to some respect……
The Good: We did not concede a goal
The Bad: We did not score a goal
The Ugly: Wenger’s substitutions
Word of the day? Toothless!
= Manager
= Board
= Kroenke
Robbery of the century = Arsene being paid 7 mill for assembling, coaching and motivating this team.
Now I feel better!!!!!!!!!!
and the supporters chanted “you don’t know what you are doing”…
Wenger apparently chastised reporters and supporters alike, for questioning his moves!
The club and manager alike are absolutely CLUELESS.
You OWE the SUPPORTERS ANSWERS!!!!!!!!!
WE PAY YOUR F*CKING SALARIES!!!!
THERE IS NO Arsenal FC or EPL, without the supporters SHOWING UP AND PAYING!
“Look, I have managed for 30 years at the top level and I have to convince you I can manage the team? How many games have you managed? I promise you if you manage one I will sit in the stands and chant ‘you know what you are doing!’”
— Arsene Wenger in his post game comments
Surely the arrogance of a man who feels he is beyond reproach. Is this someone we want to manage our team?
FUCK Wenger, fire his ass so he can do full time commentary on French TV rather than supplement his 7 mill wages in the off season instead of preparing to win titles with Arsenal.
Like the athletes themselves, Managers rarely recognize when the game has passed them by. When I was in my 20s, I worked with a guy like this. At the time, he was in his 50s. I was a Junior Writer, he was the Creative Director. Late one afternoon he gave me a client letter to proof on his way out the door. He tossed a FedEX envelope onto to my desk, told me to look it over the letter and drop it off at FedEX, clearly considering the task a formality.
I read the letter. It was filled with errors. Bad grammar, poor syntax, spelling… I took the letter to our boss and said ‘We can’t send this out. There’s more here than I can fix before FedEX pick up.’ My boss agreed and had me put the letter and FedEX envelope back on the CD’s chair.
The next morning, when the CD found that his letter hadn’t gone out and why, he came storming into my office and said ‘You know, I’ve been in this business a lot longer than you. 25 years.’ And yet the letter was still an absolute embarrassment to the agency and even a Junior Writer could see that. So what did all his time mean? He left the agency 4 months later. Retired. In his case, I think he was burned out, had plenty of money, thought our boss was an idiot (he was right about that one) and he just couldn’t be arsed anymore.
Anyway, there’s a simple phrase that describes the quote CK has pulled above. It’s called resting on one’s laurels. It’s the kind of thing you say when you have no other argument to make. But time is a knife that cuts both ways. Wenger’s had a nice, long rest now. And many of us with considerably less top level managerial experience have recognized that for years. He’s proved he can no longer do it. And that’s it’s time Arsenal moved on.
Brilliant stuff today. Playing a team in the relegation zone, we manage to create absolutely NOTHING all match.
Just fantastic when you can bring on the likes of Gervinho, Arshavin and Chamakh!
Gervinho is so heavy footed at the moment, he’s downright clumsy.
Arshavin. Supposed to be sold to Zenit in January. Barely gets a match. What exactly are we expecting from him at this point?
Chamakh. CHAMAKH? Really. I have no idea why he is still on the team, other than nobody would take him off our hands.
0-0.
Great stuff.
The future is so bright, ya gotta wear shades.
Thank god we got that big sponsorship deal sewn up. At least the club made more millions.
tells you how enthralling the game was. I actually thought Wenger brought on Chamakh at the end, he brought on COQUELIN!!
and the supporters chanted: “you don’t know what you’re doing”!!!
when asked about it in the post-game press conference, Wenger was pissed off that the fans would actually question his substitutions!!!
This is the entire club in a nut shell.
DON’T QUESTION WENGER – EVER.
His answer is that he’s been a manager for 30 years, what do you know… don’t question his moves!!!
Arsene. Please. F*CK OFF… if you can’t deal with supporters asking about your decisions, when the team play like rubbish, ITS TIME TO GO!!!
Nice preview, DAG. @stag133, I feel your frustration, man. I really do. But, I am very optimistic about our chances in today’s match. There is a general feel-good buzz around the club at the moment and Giroud appears to be having the time of his life. He always had good movement in the box and now, he’s scoring and creating great chances. His chip-pass to Poldi in midweek was so beautiful that the only word fit to describe it is “ugly” :-)
I understand that no one wants to hear that 4th place is like a trophy, but, in the grand scheme of things, I understand where Arsene was coming from. I get frustrated with him, every. single. game, so, I am definitely no AKB’er, but, I think even he realizes now that his experiment with youth failed.
With the money we’ve secured from our renewed sponsorship deal(s), we are bound to be more competitive in the not-too-distant future. The guys running the club aren’t idiots (even though a certain PHW might need “a little bit of a filter for his mouth” as AW might say, I think we should cut them a teeny bit of slack. It’s been a long wait, and many fans (and players) have left for greener pastures. The fact that we’re still here and are still angry shows we care. Let’s not stop supporting The Arsenal.
(Anxiously awaiting the King’s return in January).
AA. I believe the RedBulls aren’t letting Titi play for Arsenal this January… at least thats what I read a few days back.
Today’s match. Sure. We should win. But the fact that he’s starting Koscielny and Ramsey over Vermaelen and Wilshire… does NOT really fill me with confidence.
Basically, win lose or draw, it doesn’t really matter in the big picture.
It doesn’t matter to the board… at all. They just got a big money deal with sponsors, and the fans keep showing up, so far…
I watch. I support the players on the pitch. I hope we win. I comment on here.
but I do NOT support what is being done with the club, by management and ownership.
They are stuffing it to the supporters. Have been for years.
Oh, I hear you, man. I must have misunderstood. I thought you had lost all hope. I used to religiously purchase our end-of-season DVDs and jerseys. Now . . . I simply can’t justify it. Let’s win one trophy . . . JUST ONE! We have a decent chance at winning the Capital One Cup this season. I hope we take it.
AA, I am with you.
But the only hope is a major change/shake-up in management.
Until the fans stop buying and filling he stadium, regardless of the results, why would
anything change?
They have sold the best players over and over and over again.
That’s not bad enough, 2 years running, they’ve sold our best players to direct rivals
in Manchester City and Manchester United.
I traveled to London EVERY year, spending Thousands of dollars on flights, tickets and merchandise… sometimes twice a year, if I could get a good flight, and the team were winning.
No more. Not spending a dime on anything Arsenal related.
Wenger doesn’t are about the League Cup, or FA Cup. He’s said so. He’d rather
save the players for the magic 4th place trophy.
And the owners and board LOVE this philosophy.
Until someone comes in, and DEMANDS that the club try to win… to compete for the League… we are doomed to witness the utter demise of a once great football club.
OK. well, an away trip to Villa Park is probably one of the trips I’d want to go on… its an older English Stadium, and that’s what sets apart English Football in my eyes. It would be 1000 times better than a match at the Emirates. Price for tickets is less, and the stadium actually has some character … not to mention our away support is legendary.
YaaaaaaaaaaY.
Arsenal are going to make MORE MONEY on their sponsorship and kit deals!
woooooo hoooooo.
oh, right. that just means the club are putting even MORE money in their pockets.
Should that be applauded? I’d actually rather they lost money.
Arsenal = box of chocolates = you never know what you are going to get.
Since we’re not really competing for the League, and we are in the mix for the “coveted” top 4 position… I wouldn’t really sweat this one… be it win, lose or draw.
1-1 final?
DAG – an excellent write up.
Can’t say I was impressed with the Villa draw. Another bottom feeder we underachieved.
Maybe the soggy pitch and rain worked against our style of play/tactics vs. our opponents. Not an excuse but an observation.
Imagine that Cazorla, Arteta, Podolski, Giroud, and Per will get some rest when they’re out on injury. No one can factually argue that Gervinho, Coq, Sagna,and Vermaelen wouldn’t have offered a different result.
I’m not sure what camp I find myself. Supporting Arsenal is the priority, but our manager isn’t perfect and I have found myself frustrated with his predictable decisions for the past few seasons: player selection, tactics, rotation, and substitutions.
Never has been a plan B, so I’m not sure what 30 years of managing experience is benefiting Arsenal in the present.
Promising young players are part of the game, but our better experienced players on the pitch are not receiving consistent support. Szcz, Jenks, Gibbs, Ramsey, and Ox all started today and are just that ‘Promising”……
Still time to make this a memorable season for everyone!
Welcome bak K_no and ArseSession
DAG,
Would prefer to be praising players and manager.
Wouldn’t we all.