Match Preview: Arsenal v Aston Villa: Match Day 17

 “It’s encouraging, but we need encouragement and points, and at the moment we’ve only got encouragement. – Arsene Wenger after Arsenal’s loss to Manchester City

The marked difference between the Arsenal squad that went into Manchester this past Sunday and the one that was left decimated in Manchester back in August is remarkable. In the end though they left the northwest with the same result – no points.

But still you would be hard pressed not to be impressed, convinced or any other adjective with how Arsenal have managed to turn around their season. Now, though, they need to show the resolve that got them 22 of 24 points leading into the showdown with City. Now they are on the road again this time to Aston Villa and they need to be relentless in their desire to show that they are indeed a different team.

Losses are only significant if they lead to other losses. That much was evident early this season and late last. We did not recover well from heartbreak after heartbreak. Now, we need to show that we have to fortitude to put the difficulties behind us and march forward again.

The Aston Villa tie is in the heart of the Christmas fixture list with another one coming right up on boxing day (more on that later). Alex Song is set to miss this match after picking up his fifth yellow of the season. Frimpong or Coquelin will get a chance to shine in this match. Ignasi Miquel the reserve team Captain is set to make another start for Arsenal this time as a left back. Johann Djourou left the Manchester City match with a hurt groin which moved Vermaelen back to CB and Koscielny to RB. Miquel came in at LB and for a kid being thrust into big time action actually did alright.

The good thing for Arsenal is that are facing a Villa squad that is not in any way shape or form the resemblance of any Villa squad in recent memory. There is no other way to describe their performance this past weekend as anything other than atrocious. And with the likes of Bentm, Heskey and goal keeper Shay Given amongst the key players injured, Arsenal face an opponent they should run rampant on. To make maters worse for Alex McLeish’s charges they have only picked up four points through their last 6 matches with sides currently above them. And in their last 5 matches they’ve managed 3 losses scoring 2 goals. Ouch.

There is a bit of a revenge factor here as Arsenal will want to send Alex McLeish closer to the relegation line since he was the manager of the Birmingham side that nicked the Gunners to last season’s Carling Cup.  Additionally, Arsenal will want to exact a bit of hide out of Villa for their 2-1 win last season at the Emirates during the slide that shall remain nameless.

All in all this kind of match is nice to have after a grueling duel with Manchester City. They shouldn’t take it easy but in reality they have more than enough quality still in the side (with all of our injuries) to inflict some real pain on Villa.

How the Match Should Play Out:

Arsenal will look to put this bed early and send the Villa fans on their merry way before the second half and the way Villa allowed Liverpool to run all over them, so should the Gunners. If Villa are not careful they could find themselves on a real hiding. With Bent out and Agbonlahor a shell of his former self, Villa have very little potency in attack which means they likely will look to just get the ball to Gabby A as the lone striker up top. In other words we will need our keys because Villa are going to park the bus.

Players to Watch

Arsenal. Robin Van Persie. The dutchman has reportedly asked his manager not to take him out during the Christmas fixtures as he would like a go at the scoring title. This is the equivalent of a starting pitcher (baseball reference) telling the coach he wants the ball in the 9th when he is already pushing his pitch count. If true, I love it! Give Van Persie the damn ball.

Aston Villa.  Gabriel Agbonlahor. If only because there is no one else of note in this squad. Gabbie A is a shell of the potential world beater everyone thought he was. I mark it up to the absence of Martin O’Neill who was bringing the lad along. I sense a trip to Sunderland come summer time.

Probable Starting XI:

Injuries and Suspensions:

Arsenal: Wilshere (ankle)  Sagna (ankle) Gibbs (hernia) Jenkinson (back fracture) Diaby (hamstring) Santos (knee) Fabianksi (knee) Mannone (shoulder) Song (suspended – 1) Djourou (groin)

Aston Villa: Bent (thigh) Given (hamstring) Herd (ankle) Heskey (achilles) Lichaj (hip)

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal:  Van Persie 20 (15 league)

Aston Villa: Aguerro 13 (11 league)

Last Meeting (EPL):

Arsenal: 1

Aston Villa: 2

Goals For:

Arsenal (away): 2.1

Aston Villa (home): 1.3

Goals Against:
Arsenal (away): 2.4

Aston Villa: (home): 1.1

Last Five:
Arsenal: LWWDW

Aston Villa: LWLDL

Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 7

Aston Villa: -7

Match Official:
Referee: Jon Moss (Matches 4, R1 Y11)

Broadcast Information:
US: Not available

UK: BBC Radio 5 1745 BST

GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!

www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2

Aston Villa: 0

The Final Word:

I didn’t put out a post game on the Manchester City match not because I was pissed off at the team or any of the other feelings I had during the beginning of the season. I didn’t write one, because I didn’t know how to accurately talk about feeling positive and proud after a heart wrenching loss.

I was proud of this team in that display. With so many injuries. With the billions of dollars assembled against it, Arsenal went out and played a good solid game. They played a game where I have to agree with this statement – they deserved more than they got. But in the end its the score that matters and the score said they deserved nothing.

What made the loss so heart wrenching wasn’t the loss. Especially after such a great run. What made it heart wrenching was the 4 losses that preceeded it. Two of which could’ve been possibly avoided had our transfer business concluded before the end of the summer. Forget who they brought in. I firmly believe that the who doesn’t matter as the the three key players and even the likes of Jenkinson have shown they can play. Santos has been a find and Arteta and Mertesacker are giving us a dimension we haven’t had since 2005 or so leadership and experience.

No, had we got these guys in earlier and their acclimation to the team, system and in some cases the league happened earlier, maybe the defeat to Liverpool winds up a draw and maybe the errors at Blackburn don’t happen because everyone knows their role and they are playing together. The run of 22 points from 24 was because the players that came in finally felt at ease in our system. That along with leadership, the rocket boot of Van Persie and the heart of Vermaelen and a couple other intangibles transformed this team from a nightmare to a challenger. Had it happened earlier talk of being out of the title race wouldn’t be happening – in my opinion.

And finally this – I really want some in the Premier League’s officiating office to explain two things to me – 1. What in the name of all . . . constitutes a bloody handball. The Manchester City match is now the second time we’ve been hard done this by handball non-calls. The ball strikes Richards in the arm – according to the rules thats a handball – further more its in the box it’s a PK. Then let’s not forget Van Der Vaart’s handling of the ball before his goal in the NLD. The calls for handball are too arbitrary and seem to be open to interpretation when they shouldn’t be. And 2. What the hell are refs seeing that some’s scrotum across the line constitutes an offside call. Next to the handball calling I’ve never seen something so arbitrary as what constitutes a hand ball call.