Arsenal vs Villa Preview, predicted line up and score line by KJ
We have a good run of Premier League fixtures until the end of April and that means we have the opportunity of really staking a claim for that third spot. Villa are in dire form and are struggling to score goals meaning this is likely an easy win for the Gunners.
Even though it seems like a foregone conclusion for the fans, the players can’t go into the game with the same mentality. They must be prepared for the worst and really put Villa to the sword whenever they make a mistake.
We will need to dominate possession and should be able to do that with Özil back. Alexis is injured which is a bummer but this may help with our possession based game providing Giroud can net us the goals instead of the Chilean.
Predicted line up:
Ospina
Bellerin – Mertesacker – Koscielny – Monreal
Coquelin
Walcott – Ramsey – Cazorla – Özil
Giroud
It’s a fairly predictable line up.
Ospina will keep his place as he’s yet to put a foot wrong.
Bellerin will start at RB again and deserves it after a thoroughly good performance against City.
Mertesacker and Koscielny will partner each other and they should prevent Villa from having a sniff at goal.
Monreal over Gibbs simply because he’s been our best defender this season and deserves to start until he makes a mistake.
Coquelin over Flamini is pretty obvious. He’s in better form and can actually pass a ball.
I’ve gone for Walcott over Rosicky as I expect Arsene will want some pace in the team and with Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis out, Theo is the only one to provide that. Wenger may opt for Rosicky but that will prevent us from being strong on the counter.
Özil to get his first PL start in 3 months and he’ll be class, even if he’s played out of position.
Finally, Giroud to start up front with Welbeck coming back next week. Giroud has been very good since his return and I can’t see Danny displacing him until we start getting mid-week games again in late February.
This should be an easy win. 3 – 0 to Arsenal.
Kash