A Christmas Delight – Arsenal v Aston Villa, Match Preview
Now for the real Christmas Feast
Let’s get right to it shall we? Aston Villa return to the Emirates where in their meeting last season, they stunned Arsenal with a 2-0 win. That came at the height of their push last season that only saw them fade away by season’s end. Arsenal will be looking to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself and that they retain a firm grasp on their league position and title aspirations.
Aston Villa are in a run of form that reminds everyone of their success from last season. The major change from last season is the loss of Gareth Barry to Manchester City and the signing of Richard Dunne to tighten up their defense. And by all indications the Villans got the the better end of the deal. The Aston Villa defense are by far the tightest in the league this season. They haven’t conceded a goal in their last 4 league matches and have only conceded 14 all season long.
Should Villa beat Arsenal they would complete a rather unlikely quadruple having beaten United, Liverpool and Chelsea already. Additionally a win places Villa firmly in the hunt for Champion’s League football. Next to Arsenal they have been the most consistent top squad in the last month. They are grinding out wins. They do not score prolifically but with a defense as tight as they have been – 1 goal leads tend to hold.
Frankly with Liverpool in such a state of decline, City unable to NOT draw matches and Spurs just being Spurs, Aston Villa look to be the more solid contender for a top 4 spot. However, last season when Arsenal looked like they would be on the outside looking in, Villa was in the same spot only to watch their spot fade away and get surpassed by a surging Arsenal. It remains to be seen if Martin O’Neill has done enough to ensure his squad have the ability to last an entire campaign. If there are any faults with the Villa manager it is constant use of the same squad without any rest. He has great talent on his squad but he rides them to the end and unfortunately they get gased. Gabby Abonglahor looked to be lighting up the league only to, like his team, dry up.
Arsenal while not exactly lighting up the league have been the more consistent of the old guard in the last month or so. They’ve only dropped two points and continue to do what is necessary to stay in the league hunt – beat the lesser opposition. With Chelsea and United reluctant or unable to lock down their lead, Arsenal continue to apply pressure. Should they both drop points today and Arsenal either draw or win, the pundits will have to give credit to their title credentials.
The thing about this season and this Arsenal squad is that old “on paper” adage they shouldn’t even be winning. Two top-class left backs out, two “strikers” out and essential role players out – the club is relying on spit, grit and a whole lot of ducttape to get it done. They remain in the hunt in my opinion because of the their manager, their talent and pure determination. Even before the injuries the squad was intent on showing up the pundits and stating a claim to the league title. They will need to continue this way even if Arsene dips into the transfer kitty for a new up front attacking threat.
But back to the task at hand.
The line up I propose today is exactly identical to last week’s and I put it out because I think that is just how Arsene is. But if I were the manager I would have Eduardo in the middle with Arshavin on the wing with Nasri (Walcott) would sit. Also it’s still unknown if Fabregas will play today. On Christmas day he was 50:50 for the match . I agree with everyone and let him at least be on the bench as a sub today and keep Diaby in. His play last week was straight forward and it was why he was so successful. I think that is what will be needed to press Villa. Also likely to be back but not start is Traore.
Again though the up -3 will be the key. Chelsea even thought they lost got lots of shots on goal by attacking the box and getting Friedel moving. Chelsea lost the game on set- pieces. With Eduardo in the middle it frees up Arshavin to be more creative. Not only is the man a solid scorer but his ability to get people the ball is just as uncanny. Eduardo finally got off the goal schnide and hopefully has found the touch he needs to restore his confidence. But again, this is pure conjecture as I think Arsene will start Walcott on the wing to test the defensive speed of Villa’s back four.
We should also focus on Arsenal’s defending on set pieces, a lot has been made of it by us and by the pundits. I think in the last few weeks – since the Chelsea match Vermaelen and Gallas have done an amazing job of locking down the middle of the Arsenal penalty box. The week point still is the goal keeper and his inability to consistently and confidently play the ball correctly. With that in mind will be even more of an imperative for everyone back defending to stay on a man. Arsenal’s clean sheets and set piece defending are going to come more from the defenders than from the goal keeper himself.
How it Should Play Out:
To me this is the match of the weekend. Two good teams, in form and fighting to push United and Chelsea. As Aston Villa don’t score alot I see them playing similarly to Chelsea and trying to absorb the Arsenal attack and only trying to attack on the counter. The thing is – this will be speed on speed. With the exception Mikhail Silvestre and Diaby Arsenal are as quick as Aston Villa. So they will need to defend tightly against the counter. If the game unfolds this way, unlike the Chelsea match Arsenal must take the chances they are presented. Friedel isn’t Given or Howard but he is a good goalie but can be had if he is tested. That is what Arsenal will and must do to win.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Andrei Arshavin. Third week in a row and third week we need him to come up big. Which so far has been par for the course for the diminutive Russian. He did not feature in either match against Villa and his guile will be needed to press such a stingy defense.
Villa: Gabriel Abonglahor. He is the little engine that could for Martin O’Neill. He is quick and cagey. He is what Theo Walcott could be if Theo could combine scoring with his speed. The one knock on Gabbie – he can’t sustain his prowesss for the length of a season.
Possible Starting XI:
Fabregas for Diaby?
Injuries:
Arsenal: Bendtner (groin), Clichy (back), Djourou (knee), Gibbs & van Persie (both ankle), Rosicky (hamstring), Fabregas (hamstring)
Villa: Bouma (toe), Davies (shoulder), Heskey (groin)
Recent League Form:
Arsenal: WDWWL
Villa: WWWWD
Match Officials:
Referee: Phil Dowd
Assistant referees: Mike Mullarkey & Mike Bull
Fourth official: Stuart Attwell
TV Listing:
US: Setanta Sports 8:25 AM EST
UK: Sky Sports 1330 BST
Possible Feed Sites:
www.atdhe.net
www.justin.tv
www.iraqgoals.net
GAMEDAY Chat will be open. www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
