Following a rather unArsenal-like match v Brentford on Wednesday, the Gunners need to play a lot better when they show up at Villa Park on Saturday.
Though Arsenal won the mid-week match with a 2-0 clean sheet, the overall play produced by Mikel Arteta’s side was hardly their best performance of the season. However, with that said, if your goal is to win a Premier League title, these are the matches the team needs to plow through in order to win the three points. That was their goal, and they achieved it. Remember football is not always an art project, but it is always a math assignment.
Now, on to Saturday v Aston Villa.
The Villains have regained their form and currently find themselves 3rd on the Premier League table, just 6 points behind Arsenal. Villa has won 7 of their last 8 games in all competitions, and Arteta feels this is a Villa club that could challenge for this season’s title.
Ollie Watkins is back scoring goals, while Unai Emery undoubtedly has the annual two matches with Arsenal circled in red on his calendar.
So, at the end of the day, Arsenal needs to win these three points to maintain their leading margin at the top of the table. Villa Park is not an easy venue to play in, so the Gunners will need a strong, consistent performance to bring the win back to London.
Here’s my predicted line-up v Aston Villa on Saturday…
[4-4-2]
Martinelli, Gyokeres, Saka
Rice, Odegaard, Zubimendi
Calafiori, Hincapie, Saliba, Timber
Raya
Predicted final score: Aston Villa 1 – ARSENAL 2
COYG!
Gunner1953