Keeping Momentum: Arsenal v Aston Villa Preview

Arsenal are once again back on home turf for the weekend after what seems like eons since they last played their North London Rivals on a weekend, a couple of weeks ago. A game that set the momentum pace for the gunners, ever since then, they’ve not lost a single match they’ve played in, winning an impressive 4 out of 4 on the trot post-North London Derby, and will be working hard to maintain that against Aston Villa this afternoon, as the season nears end.

Villa might prove to be such a tricky side, the kind that have always given Arsenal problems over the seasons because of their unpredictability, its these teams that have muddled through the season unpredictably that have always taken Arsenal by surprise, as many at times the players have visibly undermined them and play with complacency which most times has turned out to be costly. This was evidenced when the same Villa side traveled to the Emirates for a FAcup game and managed to put two quick goals past Arsenal in the first half albeit against the run of play. It was their patience that had gotten them there. Despite all Arsenal’s attacking, they’d failed to find the back of the net, and Villa had to show them how to do it, however, the gunners found it in them to dig deep and produce what was required of them, they managed to win the game by 3-2. This time round though, with many players having returned from Injury, a better performance is expected from the lads, chances like the missed opportunities against Everton midweek should not resurface, it’s a home game afterall, do it for the fans that will keep the team inspired. Kill off the game!

Strenghts:
With a crop of young players that provide both engine and Grit to this fighting Villa side, they are expected to be defensively disciplined waiting for their chance to pounce on a counter attack just like many visiting teams to the Emirates have been, key men to watch out for will be Banan, Albrighton and Charles N’zogbia. Banan is the never tiring type, fights for every ball in the midfield and has a good pass on him, plus his free kicks are not far from spectacular. Albrighton too, a player to me that is the best crosser of the ball in The Premiership does such an impressive job on the wings, the goal he scored in that FA night earlier on in the season still rates as one of the best Arsenal have conceded at the emirates in a while. Charles N’zogbia, a threat on either wings and even in the middle, he’s the one guy they’re going to mostly rely on to unsettle the Arsenal defense and on a good day, he can really be quite a handful. Things like near edge free kicks and a penalty or two as a result of N’zogbia’s pressuring should not come as a surprise if any of our defenders is having an off day, I mean its Phil Dowd at the helm, you know?

That said though, Arsenal have everything they require to win this game, a great forward in Van Persie, wonderful wingers in Theo and either of Gervinho or Chamberlain plus a midfield inspired by Rosicky’s ever improving form supported by Alex Song and Arteta. Honestly this squad should be good enough to match up to anybody in the league and almost in all competitions, not forgetting the continually delivering solid back four of Sagna, Vermalean, Koscienly, Gibbs and the awesome Sczsesny in goal. Only worry is Koscienly who is just 1yellow card away from a two games ban which will effectively see him out of the game against Manchester City and so many are thinking that the player might not be featured in this fixture, which might see an alteration in that Back Four setup.
Predicted Starting XI
Arsenal:
Sczsesny, Sagna, Koscienly, Vermalean, Santos. Song, Arteta, Rosicky. Theo, Van Persie, Chamberlain
Formation: 4-2-3-1.
Aston Villa:
Given, Hutton, Cuellar, Collins, Warnock. Ireland, Petrov, Banan, N’zogbia, Albrighton, Agbonlahor
Formation: 4-5-1
Cheers y’all
Rodger