Arsenal travel to Aston Villa this afternoon and this is the team that Mikel Arteta has selected to pick up all three points.
Villa did the double over Arsenal last season and arguably played a key role in derailing the Gunners’ title challenge. Unai Emery’s side will no doubt be confident they can inflict yet another defeat on Arteta’s men.
However, Arsenal is the stronger team, and if they perform at their best, they should be capable of securing all three points today.
The Gunners boast one of the best away records in the league over recent seasons and are genuine title contenders for good reason.
That said, Aston Villa must not be underestimated. They are a top side, have home advantage, and might even hold a psychological edge after last season’s results.
Let us know in the comments below what you think of Arteta’s team selection and what your predictions are for the final score.
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With Nketiah on the bench, is it likely that his move to Forrest is off?
Jesus has a groin injury and Eddie is the only available striker
I’m still suprised. It’s unusual for selling side to take a risk on an outgoing player getting injured.
surprised
Hope Arteta and Edu put on a think cap before the widow closes. Jesus can’t be relied on for the season groin injury again? Nkethiah is not in best of form to deputise for Havertz. What happens if Havertz get injured? he has played lots of games including Euros.
I agree entirely. Jesus has missed 33 games in two seasons with “knee injuries” alone. He scored four PL goals last season.
OK, Havertz has a good injury record but that’s not set in stone from now on.
Arsenal needs striker “insurance”.
Best line up we can ask for.
May be at some point in the game we shall see Calafiori get some minutes because I don’t think Timber will play 90minutes.
We need the frontline to be clinical and take their chances. Hope Matinelli bring his A game and make right decision when close to the box. This match is winnable Arteta and his Boys shouldn’t allow Vila do Thripple win on them
It looks like it Jax. But then, Arteta did say Nketiah would be on the bench earlier in the week. Not a bad line up. Not too surprised that Arteta has shown faith in Martinelli. But it’s up to Martinelli to repay that faith. I’m going to stick my neck on the line and predict a 3-0 win to The Gunners. Goals coming in the first half. Then Arsenal to play out the majority of the match frustrating Aston Villa. Last season will be fresh in the minds of Arsenal. I’m sure Arteta will be using that as motivation
Slightly off topic, both Smith Rowe and Iwobi scored for Fulham😭.
Believing that we can win with Havertz on top is the biggest joke. There are tight games like these where your striker has to take that one chance that comes and that could be the difference. Is Havertz that player? The answer is obvious, NO! As for Martinelli, the dude has forgotten how to play football. His end product is a disaster class. And so, the emphasis shifts entirely to Saka on the right wing, making us very predictable. We just don’t need a quality striker, but another decent goal-scoring winger. But with Arteta stubbornness, l won’t be surprised if we don’t strengthen , particularly getting a striker. That would effectively mean that Havertz will have to sit on the bench, something Arteta does not want to see.
We
Are going to be there 4 victory in Villa Park
Aston Villa bench stronger than our bench, if we can get draw that will be good result
You’ve got jokes
The only name I recognise is Barkley, who’s usually good against us.
Strong team and one that Arteta would have wanted at the start of last season. Hope Jesus recovers quickly to add depth and Havertz has his scoring boots/head on.
——————MAD ABOUT ARSENAL——————–
Let’s keep our head up and hope they put villa in their park also because we can’t under estimate our opponent. 3 points for arsenal my HOME
That bench speaks alot on our inferior squad depth.
If at this age in time the best Arsenal can have as options on the bench are the likes of Nketiah and Nelson then we are joking.
Just watched the Brighton game and it’s embarrassing looking at their bench compared to ours.
All we can hope is for our starters to have their A game and hope no one gets injured.But for how long will we live like this?
There have been calls for an academy player and there is one who is highly regarded on the bench. I don’t consider the bench is weak but I grant you it’s not our strongest. Is that because the first 11 is about as strong as it can be?
Good lineup. Let’s get er done…COYG ✊🏾
Our first test. Lets go!
UTA
One game in, and Jesus is already injured.
You can’t make this stuff up can you.
Good enough to do the job imo.
Let’s see.
Come on Boys
Give us a win
With this bench this season, l doubt that we can beat city to the title. Offensively, other than Trossard, there is little we have that can come on and impact a football match. Meaning, we are going to see very limited rotation again, leading to exhaustion and potential injuries. Most of these guys played almost every game last season.
Our players must be careful today with the abu dhabi freelance ref in charge.
Very true few decisions going against Arsenal
You were definitely Nostradamus today with that call. We one anyway.
“won”
Living dangerously
Watkins missed a sitter but it has livened the game up
He shouldn’t have had the chance. Thanks Oliver.
They’re bypassing our midfield like it’s not even there…🫣
It’s because our Midfield is committing too many body forward so that’s why there is space is left behind
Martinelli is completely unproductive on the left side
Even though Villa is playing with back up RB
This Rogers is causing all sorts of problems for Arsenal
He’s driving forward with the ball we whilst our midfielders are always looking for that extra pass. More often than not sideways or backwards.
Exactly, we are misusing that person that can drive forward and cause chaos. Our no forward strategy frankly is becoming predicable to all teams. We can get a short term solution to add to the richness of our game plans.
Martinelli is not doing it, bring on Leo Trossard. Trossard will be more productive.
To be honest, Martinelli is useless.
For second game of season this looks really stale. Where is the passion
Martinelli is reminding me of Walcott who had only had potential which never fructify as a player
Martinelli only good quality is speed and energy. He cant pass, makes poor ecsions in the final third, and is not accurate infront of goal.
Disappointing first half
Hopefully MA will make some positive changes.
ESR scored a goal for Fulham, could do with him…
We’re still showing the same issue we had last season. No cut and thrust in the final third. One shot on target but a great save imo. Martinelli is not giving this AV defense any problems. Bring on Trossard I say. Also Partey is not having a great game again. We should be a goal down but we can have a better second half!
Emery knew how to prevent our CBs from passing to our DMs. If I were Arteta, I would replace Rice with Zinchenko in the second half
I would put Rice in Partey’s role and Put Zinchenko in midfield
Martinelli has been very disappointing. Never known a player to have so many bad habits. Runs with his head down,, runs the ball over the by line,, and crosses blindly to no one. I was happy to see him in the line up. Bring Trossard on, maybe sooner than later
Busy dissing Martinelli who is trying his best. Odegaard is not doing anything at all. Just hovering near Saka whilst the midfield is being dominated.
@Simba
Real Talk…👍🏾
We are being overrun and outplayed.
I’m trying to keep the faith, but this trying to walk the ball in the net, and loosing it so they can break on us is testing me. Why won’t they attempt a shot. Don’t shoot, can’t score.
@pjennings
You’d be proud of Raya’s save
Outstanding
SueP, what a fantastic save by Raya. Reminded me a bit of the one Ramsdale made at Leicester a couple of years ago.
Villa are a good side, and the fact Emery and Martinez used to be here still gives them a certain edge, particularly Martinez.
I thought it was an even first half, Rodgers caused us problems at the end but our only serious issue was our lack of cutting edge in the final third. Havertz and martinelli particularly guilty with their final pass/cross. I think trossard could make a difference. Just a bit concerned about emery making tactical adjustments – we’ll need to be ready
I won’t say edge but I would say extra motivation to beat Arsenal
I think you can feel that motivation from Martinez, it’s not just another game for him, and that has an effect on those around him. Saka was offside just now but I think he’d normally have put that chance away
If they did have a psychological edge, it wasn’t enough! Thought we rode out some hard periods and trossard’s introduction changed the game in our favour. Don’t think we were ever really second best, but they matched us for large parts of it. They’re a good side.
Not convinced with this performance at all. AV look more like scoring than we do. Changes needed ASAP.
Why are we just letting two Villa players stand in front of Raya when they have a corner. We’re asking for trouble.
Five Villa players during that corner!
We are overplaying near the edge of the box
We are shot shy in nature
Villa is playing direct and they are taking shots as well
Everyone on martinelli’s case but has anyone seen rice today? He hasn’t offered anything from this advanced pisition.
Martinelli is useless so far
And this Rogers looks pretty good
@Kedar
“Pretty good”? Dude is killing us…
Michael oliver having a masterclass in biased refereeing, absolutely nothing given to us and as soon as we breath on a villa player foul. Gotta earn that big uae bonus
TROSSARD
Brilliant
The finisher!
Get in son….👍🏾
WDon’t let them come back at us now. Lovely to see that absolute bleep Martinez beaten!!!!
This game really shows why we need merino, Rogers is eating Partey alive. I hope we have the pocket for a forward, ideally a good hold up game player.
PARTEY
Whoo hoo
We are doing to villa what they did to us last season.
But I would have loved if this loss would have cost them CL spot
Maybe it will
1 more for the road…😁
Viva la Trossard et Viva Thomas Party.
Partey has been excellent, even without the goal.
I thought he had a good game – not his best, but still good. Not sure why many were picking him out at half time. Possibly because he couldn’t contain Rodgers a couple of times? None of our players really could tbf
Rodgers was unreal tbh. Nobody could deal with him.
Trossard has put a different complexion on this game
Big, big win…😍😂😍
I don’t know if Trossard has the legs for a full game, but by god, he’s certainly earned himself a guaranteed second half.
That’s the only thing keeping him starting. I think his skills must be rationed for 2nd half.
Should keep clean sheet now
And they did!
Well done lads. Well done 👏🏾
What a game! Tested the patience to the limits. Raya my god, that save, coming back from the save last game. Partey excellent. That was my worry going into this game, considering Onana.
Phew! Clean sheet 3 points at Villa park, what can anyone ask for.
Great win.
Arsenal is competing with Man city for the English Premier League.
Chelsea is competing with Man United for the league of extra ordinary Gentlemen.
It is in these games Merino will shine. That’s exactly he is here.
A good, well earned 3 points. Hopefully we’ll be this lucky in our next 2 away games.