Aston Villa-Arsenal is a match valid for the 24th day of the Premier League and is played on Saturday at 1:30pm: TV, formations, predictions.
There could not have been a worse ending for Arsenal on Wednesday night in their highly anticipated clash with Manchester City. The pupil (Arteta) once again had to bow to the master (Guardiola) and the 3-1 defeat – his first of the season at the Emirates Stadium – was a punch in the face that the Gunners may struggle to forget any time soon.
One of the first effects of the drubbing is the Citizens overtaking them in the table. In fact the two teams currently have the same points, 51, but Haaland and Co. are now ahead on goal difference. Arsenal, however, still have a game to make up and could potentially still be within +3 of the defending champions. The championship is a long one, but in any case the red and whites have squandered the enormous advantage they have accumulated in recent months, bringing Guardiola’s battleship back into play. Who, in the two recent challenges between the FA Cup and the Premier League, have frankly shown to be superior, to have something more than the Gunners.
Arsenal fail to get going again
The fears of the London fans are that the close double defeat to City will dent the morale and self-confidence of a young and inexperienced group, who are doing well beyond their initial expectations at this tournament.
Emery
The psychological backlash, after all, had already been there after the cup elimination: Arsenal have not been able to win since. In the next two games, Xhaka and his team-mates only managed one point against Everton and Brentford. On their way this weekend is former Aston Villa manager Unai Emery. Mired in mid-table, the Villans have conceded seven goals in their last two matches, losing 4-2 to Leicester and 3-1 to Manchester City. Two setbacks that undermine the European ambitions of the former Villarreal coach, who took over last November.
The Prediction
Transfer not without its pitfalls for an Arsenal side who may be psychologically affected by the thrashing with Manchester City, complicating their title plans. Away from home, however, the Gunners have so far won the most points of all, 25, conceding only seven goals like Newcastle. The red and white defence, however, has started to creak a little and it cannot be ruled out that Emery’s team will score at least one goal.
The likely Aston Villa-Arsenal line-ups
- ASTON VILLA (4-3-3): Martinez; Young, Konsa, Mings, Moreno; Kamara, Douglas Luiz, Ramsey; Buendia, Watkins, Bailey.
- ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Jorginho; Saka, Odegaard, Trossard; Nketiah.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
