Running the Gauntlet Step 1 Arsenal v Aston Villa Match Preview
It begins here
So it begins! The run of 4 games that could determine the outcome of Arsenal’s title hopes this season. They begin that run against a team that they have had success against on a regular basis – Aston Villa. In their last 17 meetings at Villa Park, Arsenal have only lost 3 times.
When the last met Villa and Arsenal were level on points. Villa were riding an 8 game winning streak and Arsenal were set for a very tight Christmas series. On the foot of a Cesc Fabregas cameo Arsenal owned Villa in the 2nd half and wound up winning emphatically 3-0. At the time we were all happy but as I said post game, great teams make good teams look bad and that is what Arsenal did to Martin O’Neill’s side.
Arsenal are currently riding a 9 game league unbeaten streak. They are the leagues leading scorers with 59 goals and are on course to shatter the single season goal record.
After beating Bolton in dramatic fashion last week, Arsenal were top of the league for a short period of time and their premier team status was once again vindicated. If Arsenal want to go back on top of the league and continue to pressure Chelsea and United they will need to win this game. It won’t be easy. While Arsenal lead the league in scoring Villa are one of the top defensive sides in the league.
The problem for Villa though is not defending it is scoring. Not so much in cup ties mind you but in the league matches. Ever since losing to Arsenal in the league, the Villains have yet not been all that efficient in scoring. However, their cup ties have seen a plethora of goals go in. Additionally, Villa would be silly to take anything from Stoke win over the Gunners this weekend. The side that comes out on Wednesday will likely be almost identical to the one that scored 3 on them in December.
While the side that went out against Stoke featured 7 starters under the age of 20, the side featured in this match will be slightly older and slightly more experienced. Additionally, it sees the large trainers list shrink up as both Niklas Bendtner and Samir Nasri will be on the bench as supersubs. Bendtner has been out since the North London derby and Nasri has been out for 2 weeks with a hamstring. If Arsenal are going to survive this run of matches both will be needed.
For what its worth if Bendtner wants to be the man, he will need to show his worth. I am still not sold on him. Yes, he has shown more promise and one of things I do like is the way he attacks defenders with forward movement. What he lacks is the ability to finish. Whatever the average the poor lad has more misses than hits. If he really wants to be the best in the league he needs to deliver on that promise. I don’t expect it to come right away – 3 months out is a long time for any one. But he comes back to the squad when they will need him. Maybe not so much for scoring but for the fact that he gives us height, depth and options on and off the bench.Oh and the scoring would be a bonus.
Arsene has clarly placed all his eggs in the EPL and CL baskets. He did as much with his squad selection this weekend. And while he did not try and throw away the match, he clearly had to prioritize what he needed to do. Had the fixture list not been so congested for the EPL the squad may have been different but given who play it was clearly the right choice and the boys will have the motivation once again to go for it.
I would look for Andrei Arshavin to show up for the next month as he seems to have the ability to show up for the games that matter. The magician he is has an uncanny knack of showing up for the right matches. Ask United, ask Liverpool what he can do in “big matches.” He may not score in every one of these matches but he is going to be a headache for some defenders that much is sure. I’d prefer he really make the United and Chelsea defense look like idiots but I’ll take any of them.
Anyway, whatever the outcome this match begins a list of fixtures that should have any Arsenal, nay any football fan salivating with delight.
How It Should Play Out:
Oh hell let’s just call it for what it – a hotly followed match by two good teams. However with so much at stake and Arsenal’s history at Villa Park – look for this one to be an eked out win.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Cesc Fabregas. Who else. He is red hot. He scores when he wants to. When he is up for it – he is literally the best midfielder in the EPL and possibly Europe right now.
Aston Villa: James Milner. If Theo Walcott wants to know who to emulate – he could do no better than watching Milner. Muscular, quick and good on the ball he will be more a thorn to Arsenal than Gabby Abonglahor.
Probable Starting XI:
Lucky guess?
Injuries:
Arsenal: Diaby (calf) Djourou (knee) Gibbs (foot), Merida (ankle) Van Persie (ankle)
Villa: Petrov (achilles), Albrighton (leg) Bouma (toe) Carew (knee) Harewood (foot) Reo-Coker (ankle) Salifou (compassionate leave) Warnock (shin)
Match Officials:
Referee: Lee Probert
Assistant Referees: Andy Newbold & Gary Stott
Fourth Official: Chris Foy
Recent League Form:
Arsenal: WWDWW
Villa: DLLWW
TV Broadcast:
Setanta: 17:00 On rebroadcast
No other known channels
Live Feeds:
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YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal – 2
Villa -1
