Aston Villa v Arsenal Pre-Match Thread

[Stu]

Arsenal mates reckon Declan Rice is going to be ok for the weekend. Some trepidation in their camp also, saying it’s a tough one to call.

[Deano's Mullet]

I honestly think we'll beat them. We were unlucky at home last season in the 2-0 and they have injuries plus we are the better side.  V tight 2-1 squeaky bum win.

[Drummond]

           Martinez
Cash Konsa Torres Digne
      Kamara   Tielemans
McGinn     Rogers     Buendia
             Watkins

[Nev]

Echoes of that match a couple of years back abound, a crazy few days when we really started to believe there was something special happening. It did and it suddenly feels like it again.

Arsenal will be a real test but one we can approach with relish and confidence, the players looked they were absolutely bouncing.

As for me, I'm bouncing too and I hate Woolwich, their entitlement, their mid game false injury coaching sessions, their prick of a manager, their premature title celebrations, that fucking song, their abandonment of Highbury and their absolute horror that anyone should dare challenge them for the ball. And Rice, the turncoat.

30 fucking nil to us.

1-0

[RamboandBruno]

           Martinez
Cash Konsa Torres Digne
      Kamara   Tielemans
McGinn     Rogers     Buendia
             Watkins

This team
2-1 Watkins, Malen off the bench

[Dave]

If we had Barkley fit and able to come on in the second half, I'd be inclined to go with all of McGinn / Kamara / Onana / Tielemans.

As it is, I think at least one of those will need to come on for the last half hour. So Onana / Kamara / McGinn, with Youri to come on for Buendia after an hour.

[eye digress]

Of those 4, he’s been rotating them pretty consistently. So with Tielemans on the bench yesterday, I’d expect him to start. Kamara came off after 70, so would expect to see him too. Can’t see SJM on the bench for this one, so surely Onana misses out?

[London Villan]

I expect a typical random Unai selection to confuse the opposition.

[Brazilian Villain]

I expect a typical random Unai selection to confuse the opposition.

Imagine if he started Garcia and Elliott.

[DB]

Let’s see who is in their defence…. But no idea on this one.

[tony scott]

Great game coming up 2:3

[Skipper_The_Eyechild]

The pundits are saying Arsenal have a stronger squad this season and are now better equipped to win the league. I agree, but, I don't think they have a stronger starting eleven from last year.

I think that that most people's "strongest Arsenal team" would have at least one of Eze, Zubimendi and Gyokeres and I expect some people would have two or even all three of them.

And none of those are downgrades on who they were using last year and have since lost.

Its debatable. Harvetz was Arses top scorer last year with 15, Eze scored 14 with Palace. Also, question marks over Eze's workrate off the ball. He can be quality though.

Zubimendi competing with Rice, Odegaard and others for midfield. Gyokeros unproven at this level yet. 

I still reckon a stronger squad but not starting eleven. But hey, who cares, just stuff 'em.

The Zubimendi one isn't really debatable, he's much better than Partey. Him and Rice are a great midfield pairing. I agree, let's fuck 'em up.

[eamonn]

Seems mad they let Xhaka go, seeing how he's taking Sunderland into Europe by his guts and thunder.

[Somniloquism]

They had just spent £100mil on his replacement so getting £20mill back for a 30-31 year old wasn't bad business.

[rob_bridge]

A biggie and a toughie one for us.

We do better against more expansive teams - only issue they have matchwinners everywhere and usually 3 on the bench just in case.

They have been largely impressive this season but have wobbled against the very upper echelons.

If they win, they can genuinely point to being contenders. If we win we can genuinely be considered Top4 candidates.

That said we can get at them especially if no Saliba and or Gabriel.

Hope say 3.2. Head says 2.2 maybe.