Arsenal v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[danlanza]

4-1 to the Arse

That's more like it! 

I will stick with the Benteke tearing new arsehole in their defence, if that's ok.

[eastie]

Nursey speaks-

Aston Villa return to Premier League action on Saturday at Arsenal.

After four points from two games for Villa, and successive defeats for Arsenal, the fixture does not look as intimidating as it might have done a few months ago.

Indeed, with Gunners' fans on under-pressure boss Arsene Wenger's back, it is arguably the perfect time for Villa to visit.

Arsenal's players will be encouraged by the restless home crowd to push forward at every opportunity.

And that will leave space for Villa to hit them on the break.

With the likes of Christian Benteke, Charles N'Zogbia and Gabby Agbonlahor all fit for Saturday, Villa have the pace to really hurt Arsenal on the counter-attack.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Villa picking up at least a point from the Emirates with Wenger's side clearly lacking confidence.

Or even perhaps Villa may even emulate Blackburn and Bayern Munich by winning there.

Agbonlahor missed the last game over West Ham with illness, as I revealed on my Daily Mirror Twitter account @JamesNursey.

But the lightening quick striker will be back for Arsenal and I expect him to replace Jordan Bowery in the starting line-up.



Arsenal fans have been flooding the internet and airwaves recently with many demanding Wenger leaves.

It will make for a very difficult atmosphere for the Frenchman this weekend and he could be forgiven for rather having an away game instead.

But, in contrast, I do believe the Villa supporters have generally been very fair with boss Paul Lambert.

Sure, there have been several occasions when the side have been booed off at half-time or the full-time whistle.

And of course the keyboard warriors have demanded Lambert's head occasionally from behind the security of their computers.

But considering the amount of pain Villa fans have endured this season - including the record 8-0 loss at Chelsea and humiliating Cup exits to lower league opposition, especially League Two Bradford over two legs in the League Cup semi-finals, they have not openly turned on Lambert in widespread revolt.

I think most can appreciate the Scot has not had huge resources at his disposal to work with.

He is trying to make root and branch changes to the first team squad that in the long-term should benefit Villa.



It has entailed short-term pain.

But mere survival this season would still be an achievement and is clearly vital given the new TV money coming into the top-flight next season.

[eastie]

By Ed Malyon | 22/02/13 

France full-back Bacary Sagna -  linked with a move away from the club today - will miss out for Arsenal in tomorrow's Premier League match against Aston Villa.

The right-back has a knee problem and will not be available, while fellow defender Kieran Gibbs remains out with a thigh injury.

On a more positive note, new signing Nacho Monreal is available again for Arsene Wenger's side.

For Aston Villa, playmaker Charles N'Zogbia has recovered from the thigh injury suffered during the closing stages against West Ham.

Striker Gabriel Agbonlahor and midfielder Karim El Ahmadi are also available after illness ruled them out of the 2-1 win against Sam Allardyce's side.

Defender Chris Herd (foot) is also poised to return to training next week but winger Marc Albrighton (foot) and defender Richard Dunne (groin) are still ruled out.

Arsenal squad : Szczesny, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Podolski, Arteta, Cazorla, Wilshere, Walcott, Giroud, Mannone, Coquelin, Ramsey, Diaby, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Miquel.

Villa squad : Guzan, Given, Marshall, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Lichaj, Stevens, Baker, Bennett, El Ahmadi, Delph, Sylla, Ireland, Westwood, Dawkins, N'Zogbia, Bannan, Holman, Benteke, Agbonlahor, Bent, Bowery, Weimann, Burke, Johnson, Williams, Carruthers.

[Jockey Randall]

Good news about Sagna. I'd imagine they will switch Koscielny to right back then and Vermaelen back into the centre? Let's hope we can get high enough up the pitch to hurt them. Wilshere could run rings round our central midfield though. He's absolutely brilliant to watch at the moment. Such a rarity for an English player.

[bilsim]

I foresee a 2-0 up go on to lose 3-2 scenario.

[Matt C]

Glad Gabby is back, perfect game for him.

[mallo]

If we can keep a clean sheet for 30 minutes we've got a chance. I do realise what I've just said there is 'if humans could all live in peace we'd all have a great time'. Hmm.

[pooligan]

Can't see Arsenal losing three homes games in a week to be honest,so i am going for a 2-2 draw.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Possibly the most unpredictable game of the season. But two weak defences will concede goals. 1-2 Benteke-Nzogbia .....

[brontebilly]

almost certainly going to be a high scoring game. would be very worried about what Walcott is going to do to Baker but Lichaj is woeful on the left too so we have no other real options. Id drop Weimann and give Kea another chance in the midfield with Delph and Westwood.

Arsenal can certainly be got at defensively. Game seems perfect for Benteke, Nzogbia and Gabby. If we manage to score first can see the home crowd turn pretty badly on Wenger. Will be disappointed if we dont manage to pick up at least a point

[eamonn]

almost certainly going to be a high scoring game. would be very worried about what Walcott is going to do to Baker but Lichaj is woeful on the left too so we have no other real options.

What about Enda?

[eastie]

Matchday at last - bring on those gunners!

[brontebilly]

almost certainly going to be a high scoring game. would be very worried about what Walcott is going to do to Baker but Lichaj is woeful on the left too so we have no other real options.

What about Enda?

nowhere near good enough I'm afraid. Nor Bennett for that matter. If we stay in the league, we should be letting both go in the summer.

[rutski]

almost certainly going to be a high scoring game. would be very worried about what Walcott is going to do to Baker but Lichaj is woeful on the left too so we have no other real options.

What about Enda?

nowhere near good enough I'm afraid. Nor Bennett for that matter. If we stay in the league, we should be letting both go in the summer.

enda stevens is nowhere good enough, totally agree with that. bennett needs time. dont forget that after signing baines for £6m from wigan, everton stuck him on the bench for 18 months and he hardly ever got a touch of a ball. now look what he is doing. patience is required with bennett.

i do not feel the result will go our way today, it reminds me of 3 years ago when they bought fabregas on and he scored twice and then they took him off again, we were on a high and they were on a low before that game. was in a pub called the worlds end inn before the match round the corner and a few arsenal fans were saying how they were dreading playing us that day. 4-1 to them i think! sorry, usually totally optimistic but not today. please let me be wrong!

[VancouverLion]

Play as well as we know they can for 90 +mins and I can see us getting at least a point, play the usual ok for 45, useless for 45 and we'll get a good hiding, simple as that.
I think we'll be well up for this one, 2-2 Benteke & Gabby

UTV!