After doing what most football experts thought we would struggle and fall sort of doing, Arsenal are flying high and are full of confidence. But as much as it was great to pull off the great escape and keep the name of Arsenal in the hat for the next Champions League phase, it is vital that we take the confidence gained into the Premier League.
One of my biggest worries is that the Arsenal players will look at tomorrow’s opponents Aston Villa, who have not won in the Premier League since the opening day, and assume that this will be a doddle after going to Olympiacos and winning 3-0.
This would be a big mistake even though it is a game the Gunners should win. Despite Villa’s last win being over two months ago, it was a crunch local derby against Birmingham City. They also have the boost of a new boss in Remi Garde and they have managed to hold both Man City and Southampton to a draw in their last four games.
That is why I think Wenger needs to insist that the team go out tomorrow and make a fast starts, to avoid giving the home team any encouragement and to not put ourselves under the undue pressure we had at West Brom and Norwich and there is another very good reason for Arsenal to make a fast start.
His name is Mesut Ozil and the brilliant German has been such a key player for us this season that Wenger will not leave him out. But if we have the game wrapped up nice and early I think the boss will take Ozil off and give him a well earned rest and that could make the difference between our creative genius staying fit and picking up an injury.
Arsenal may be coping so far, but would losing Ozil be a bridge too far?