Everyone will be watching what happens at Villa Park this evening as Aston Villa host Arsenal.
It is worth mentioning that Villa are developing as a genuine threat, as their comfortable win over Manchester City on Wednesday night moved them up to third in the league standings, four points behind the leaders Arsenal, and maintained their perfect home record in the league.
Arsenal aspires to be the real deal in the Premier League. And to do so, they must be the first team to defeat them on their home turf. Do you believe they’ll do that? Paul Merson certainly believes they will, predicting a 2-1 victory for Arsenal over Villa.
He lauds Villa’s performance against Manchester City but still believes Arsenal will win on Saturday night. According to Merson, Martin Odegaard and Rice will be able to win the midfield battle, of which the ex-Gunner also believes Havertz will start, as he can also help Arsenal win the midfield battle and deal with the famous “Villa press” this season. Apart from the midfield, Merson believes Saka and Martinelli will be “unmanageable” against Villa.
“Aston Villa absolutely dominated Manchester City and came away with a deserved 1-0 win in midweek.
“I haven’t seen a team do that to Man City in God knows how long, so it was a huge statement of intent from Unai Emery and Co. If Aston Villa win here, they are in the title race. I just have to say it.
“They put in a lot of hard work against Man City, but I still fancy Arsenal in this one. If Arsenal can beat the Villa press with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in the centre of the park, I don’t think the full-backs will be able to handle the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
“As for Kai Havertz, I said so many times that he’s a top player and would be a good signing for Arsenal. I’m not sure if he’ll start against Villa, but I think they could use a player like him as he’d play a key role in beating their press.”
Arsenal must defeat Villa on Saturday. That’s the game in which they prove they’re the real deal and the team to bet on in the Premier League title race. If Arsenal beats Villa on Saturday, call me optimistic, but I don’t see them failing to beat any other team this season.
Daniel O
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Arsenal has what it takes to win this game or at least not lose it. I partially agree with what Merson said but the fact is Unai Emery is intelligent enough to want to explore Arsenal’s weakness. My worry is our full backs. White should watch his marauding runs, he always leaves space at the back. I would also prefer Kiwior’s pramatic play to shore up defence instead of Zichenko’s adventure upfront. Any good coach can explore Zichenko’s defensive weakness. Martinez is a good keepers our front line should take their chances well. Up gooners!
We can’t be magicians. But I think that in every match the home team’s victory, the draw and the away team’s victory have the corresponding chances of success in each case. There is definitely a favorite As for the prices… from here on it’s a matter of luck. Let’s say in last year’s match at 2-4 it could easily be upside down. the score.Our issue now is not so much blah blah to be vindictive….the main thing is to enter without giving anyone the right to question us. The rest is for them opponents, and the journalists. and they don’t concern us. We know the villa and every opponent we enter seriously, with no mood for gifts. Simple things….
@Vanzel1papado
Very well put Gooner…👍🏾
I agree with Merson, because Aston Villa just had a few days to rest after the tiring game against Man City, whereas we just played against Luton
Aside from that, Arteta has surely analyzed Aston Villa vs Man City game. If he still uses similar tactic against Emery, he isn’t as smart as I thought
I’m just worried about his ban. I hope his assistant and other coaches can bark at our players with the same energy
And you don’t think that the game against Luton wasn’t hard work GAI?
I don’t think playing against Luton is as tiring as playing against Man City
We almost drew the game because Raya’s weaknesses
TBH that refereeing decision and Crystal Palace was disgusting. How long are we going to put up with these terrible decisions? Changed a win into a loss. Not right.
Not unexpected and it does make you wonder.
Pressure on arsenal now to win after pool won. This is where Arteta’s mental strength will be crucial. To gear up the team by shaking off any kind of top table pressure.
I wonder if anybody else noticed this event.
Martinez (I believe) punted the ball down field.
An Arsenal player got in position to head it. An Aston Villa was right behind him, and just as the ball reached them, the Villa player nudged the Arsenal player in the back (which is a foul, that is almost never given).
Consequently the Arsenal player missed his header and the Villa player went on and scored their goal.
One more point, I think Villa out muscled Arsenal which put Arsenal off their stride.
Just my observations!!