Match Preview: Arsenal v Aston Villa, Premier League 2013/14 Kick off
It’s back. . . the Premier League season that is and without our Arsenal start things off with a visit by the team that coincidentally opened the Emirates – Aston Villa.
The good thing about the start of actual, physical matches is that at least for 90 minutes we can all put aside the frustration surrounding the team and focus on what being a supporter is really about – the 11 men and substitutes who work their tails off for us. It is not a distraction, it is the purpose of our supporting this team and it’s our hope that at the end of the 90 minutes, even with all that still remains, we’ll have a smile on our faces knowing we’ve secured 3 points.
On the face of it 3 points shouldn’t be all that hard. For the most part the starting XI who take the pitch on Saturday are all the key cogs who saw us perform as the best team for the final third of the season (of course the other two thirds count but hey I’ll take what I can get.) Mikel Arteta is out with a thigh injury and that is worrisome simply because with Arteta in the squad Arsenal have a winning percentage of 64%. Without him? A measly 29% or something paltry like that.
But we are also buoyed by the fact that the heir apparent to the Mr. Arsenal moniker, Jack Wilshere is back and will feature in the starting lineup. Jack comes back after two seasons of fits related to injuries. He has had a good solid summer and from the looks of his action in pre-season and the way he glided around Scotland in the midweek, Jack certainly looks ready to hit the ground running.
Arsenal supporters are hoping that Jack and others can immediately get off the mark and find that thrust that saw them go 11 unbeaten to close out the season. We are also hopeful that the likes of Olivier Giroud who has clearly benefited from a full pre-season with Arsenal, maintains his deadly striking streak he had during the summer.
Additionally, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who looked in good form this summer need to take further steps to making their mark and place on this team.
The defense that was second to only Manchester City last season returns and from the looks of it, is healthy and solid. They will need to be as they do face an early test.
Aston Villa finished 15th last season. But they’ve now had a full season under Paul Lambert. While you could chalk up their struggles as they got to know their new manager and his season, this season it’s likely they will be a more improved team.
We’ll all be curious to see if Christian Benteke will maintain the form he showed last season when he netted 19 goals in the Premier League. Aston Villa did a stellar job of holding onto their man and fending off other suitors. It surely keeps them primed for a run up the table.
Benteke is going to be the threat that Arsenal’s defense has to worry about, but they will also have to be wary of his support in the likes of Agbonlahor and Weimann. Gabby Agbonlahor seemed to disappear in recent years but as the season under Lambert progressed it was interesting to see glimpses of the kid so many people were keen on. With Weimann and Gabby’s speed outside, Benteke, who is wonderful in the air will make it difficult for Koscielny and Mertesacker.
Arsenal and Villa played two very good matches last season, 0-0 draw at Villa park and a scrappy 2-1 Arsenal win at the Emirates. Arsenal can and should expect more of the same. The promise of the summer performances and confidence building exercises needs to be carried over into matches that matter now.
Wenger has tried to assure everyone (whether your believe him or not I leave up to you) that reinforcements will be coming before the end of the transfer window. For now though, like our friends over at Where Has Our Arsenal Gone (the Black Scarf Movement) we are calling on Arsenal supporters to do what we always do – get behind the lads on the pitch and will them on to 3 points.
How the match should play out:
With all the confident talk by Arsenal players and their desire to prove their worth, I really expect them to come out flying and get the crowd on their side as quickly as possible. Arsenal are going to want to test the Aston Villa defense quickly. Michael Cox on the dot.com rightly points to the fact that other than two relegated sides, Villa had allowed the most goals in the league. With a wealth of attack Arsenal won’t likely wait to try and test them. Villa will look to unleash Bentke on the counter with Weimann and Agbonlahor supporting. It will mean that Gibbs and Sagna have to be every mindful not to get to sucked forward. This one has goals written in it. The winner is the one who’s defense doesn’t get taken advantage of or make stupid mistakes too easily.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal. Theo Walcott. He was impressive this past season, showing growth and finally finding the back of the net with regularity. His ability to get behind defenses is going to be key to the Gunner’s success this season.
Aston Villa. Christian Benteke. 19 goals. Nuff said.
Projected Lineups:
Digital Arsenal Lineup:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Diaby (knee), Arteta ( thigh) Vermaelen (back) Monreal (back)
Aston Villa: N’Zogbia (calf), Sylla (ankle), Herd (calf)
Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal: 2
Aston Villa: 2
Goals For:
Arsenal (home):
Aston Villa (away):
Goals Against:
Arsenal (home):
Aston Villa (away) : 1.7
Match Official:
Referee: Anthony Taylor.
Assistants: Lennard, McDonough
Fourth Official: D’Urso
Broadcast Information:
US: NBC Sports Network: 10:00 AM
UK: BBC MOTD 1
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 3
Aston Villa: 1
9 comments
Leave a reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Arsenal and Arsene got exactly what they deserved… a big SLAP in the face.
The only positive, is that the fans showed their extreme displeasure, and that it was the first game, so there are still 2 weeks until the transfer window closes.
At least we were embarrassed quickly, and it MIGHT force the club to act fast… just like after the 8-2 ass kicking did.
We have the money to do anything we want …
Monaco apparently might have to SELL Falcao, after the tax laws were changed.
If you were going to spend idiot money on that cancer Suarez, go get the “real deal” Falcao.
He could change the team… speed, power, youth, and massive skillz.
We need Williams from Swansea ASAP, if we can still get him… and we could have used Gustavo or Capoue… but Wenger and board are fukin’ IDIOTS.
We might have to actually pay MORE now… to get what we need.
But the club have the money… it is NOT a problem.
GET ON WITH IT. Arsenal FC should make signings THIS WEEK.
But I wouldn’t doubt that the fans telling Arsenal to SPEND SOME F’N MONEY, will only make Wenger even more stubborn, more idiotic, more ridiculous in his “beliefs”…
2 weeks to make it right.
arsenal are in big trouble. losing to anyone at home by that scoreline is bad but to lose like that to aston villa is another level of bad.
i’ve said since last season that arsenal need cover for arteta. they’re yet to prove they can win without him. over the past 2 seasons, arsenal have only won 2 league games when arteta didn’t feature. he’s clearly the most important player in that team. one would think a club like arsenal would, at least, have cover in that position. the midfield was completely disjointed and had no direction this afternoon. somehow, it seems wenger believes he can “cut and paste” players in that role. this position requires big experience and know how more than technical talent. lastly, arsenal looked leaderless; imagine that.
neither of those villa goals would likely have happened if arteta had been on the pitch. koscielny was trying to fill a void that mikey normally fills while, simultaneously, trying to be a central defender. as a result, he was caught out of position too many times, to include the first penalty and when he was sent off. jack’s super talented but he is, is no dm. neither is ramsey. they both give the ball away too much. you’ve got to be smart with the ball at dm.
as for the game, it wasn’t clear to me who replaced arteta? also, i don’t understand the decision to move aaron ramsey to cb while playing sagna at lb. i didn’t understand the decision to play cazorla as he just came back from ecuador like this morning. i don’t understand why a manager would burden his slow german cb with the captaincy when he’s playing against arguably the most dangerous and physically imposing center forward he’ll face all season. tactics are supposed to give your team an advantage, not undermine them. devil’s advocate, the ref had a horrible performance.
going forward, we’ll see. arsenal have it all to do. it’s absolutely nuts to try and get new players in that you really need this late in the summer. the season’s already started for crying out loud. opportunity signings is a different thing. at this point in the summer, no one is trying to give up their best players. there are slim pickings to replace them. it’s like trying to sign top players in january. good luck.
Come on guys, get behind your team. I believe in this great team and we would be hard pressed to find better quality players to build a stronger squad.
I believe in my team and am confident we can compete at all levels.
PS That was a dream
Yes, all glory to the Arsenal. All Glory to Arsene Wenger. All glory to Stan Kroenke.
Besides, did you hear what our great leader said after the match? It was all the ref’s fault for not refereeing with the right “spirit”. What an assclown.
And the press’s fault- as our manager said, they all got what they wanted, so they should be happy. All they’ve been writing about all summer was how Arsenal would do poorly this season, so of course we would do badly with all the negative things being said. Don’t you know no team has ever been able to perform well after being criticized by the press? How dare you Fleet Street? How dare you predict something that turned out to be true!
He should have blamed us, as well, for 8 (going on 9) years of saying the same things. If he finds all the words so hurtful, wait til the sticks and stones starting raining down .
“…at least for 90 minutes we can all put aside the frustration surrounding the team and focus on what being a supporter is really about…”
HMMMMMM….
Methinks if you’re an Arsenal supporter “frustration surrounding the team” IS what being a supporter “is really all about”. Was anyone not frustrated today while watching the match? Hmmm? Come on, hands up. Yeah… that’s what I thought.
Arsenal had a great 5-mintue start to the season. After that? More of the same.
Arteta out.
Gibbs hurt.
Sangna hurt.
NO ONE to take their places.
Well done Arsene, well done. Bravo mate, bravo. I echo the supporters at the Emirates today:
Spend some F—ing money!
Spend some F—ing money!
The moment is finally upon us. In spite of the challenges we faced last season, our squad list is weaker than it has been in a very long time. The transfer window is still open, so, there is still a sliver of hope that we sign a few very good (world class even) players to bolster our squad.
I am sure the players are aware of the apprehension that most fans feel, but, no better way to open the season with a home win to at least placate some fans, even if only for one week.
COME ON ARSENAL!!!!
Why do I even bother?
nobody in to improve the team…
no interest in watching…
good luck.
we have been POOR without Arteta, and he could be out 6 weeks.
in regard to transfers, I have read that we are still in for Suarez, and might bid yet again…
(somebody tell Arsenal that he apologized to Liverpool, and is back training with the first team, and he’s decided to stay there)
and I read that if the Suarez deal fails (it already has), that we might go for Rooney.
really? REALLY? United aren’t selling to Chelsea, and they can pay way more than we can… and they already said they aren’t interested in selling Rooney. Oh, by the way, they don’t sell in the league, ONLY ARSENAL are that f*cked up…
so, what we have here, is utter bullshit…. we aren’t in for anyone of note.
have a good season Arsene… hope you fall on your fucking face EARLY, so it forces the club to buy players after another embarrassing start…
PS. Theo is going to continue to improve… he’ll produce the most points on the roster AGAIN…