Arsenal v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[ChicagoLion]

Rice played RB against Brighton which surely weakens their midfield but will strengthen their RH side where they have Saka the diving twat.

[olaftab]

Can we ask Spurs to deliver a pasta dish for Arsenal players lunch today?

[Nev]

As we move through this run the likelihood of a setback increases and a visit to Woolwich is probably as tough an ask as you could want. But the you could've said that about Chelsea.
The way things are going a victory is well within our reach, again the bench will play a vital role, perhaps in maintaining our unbeaten run.

0-0

[Chap]

I’m feeling a SDM (Sir Dennis Mortimer for the youngsters) moment, hopefully with SJM completing the task. 0-2.
The unsustainables will then take notice, maybe. 🤔

[Dick Edwards]

We're still going to have a competitive starting XI but all the injuries and suspensions will leave us with little defensive replacements on the bench. I'd love to see Garcia start personally but haven't seen any evidence this season that Unai fancies him.

[Drummond]

I wonder if our absences will be mentioned in commentary etc.

Mings
Torres
Cash
Kamara
Barkley
Guessand

All who play in, or cover defence. With Watkins carrying an injury and unlikely to play 90, and given he is brilliant at being out first line of defence and breaking up play, we're stretched.

[LeeB]

We're still going to have a competitive starting XI but all the injuries and suspensions will leave us with little defensive replacements on the bench. I'd love to see Garcia start personally but haven't seen any evidence this season that Unai fancies him.

He's been injured for most of it, but given that I'd be very surprised if he was thrown in for this game.

[rob_bridge]

What's Torres latest?

[Duncan Shaw]

Surely he'll just put Bogarde in at RB?  I'm not saying that's right, but it seems to be his favoured plan B so for this season?

[Dave]

Surely he'll just put Bogarde in at RB?  I'm not saying that's right, but it seems to be his favoured plan B so for this season?

Think anything else would be a surprise. Only reason not to is that there is then very little to come into midfield if any of Youri / SJM / Onana need to come off.

[RamboandBruno]

What's Torres latest?

I doubt very much if he’ll be fit and I can’t remember many occasions under Emery where a player has been out then thrown straight back into the starting eleven.

[Sexual Ealing]

I've been reading an Arsenal forum. I don't really mind them compared to their traditional rivals at the top of the league, but they're all pretty sure we're a mere irritant to be dealt with and never thought of again. We'll see I guess.

[eye digress]

Has there been a situation where Garcia has been fit and Bogarde has been preferred at RB?

Seems that the options are including Garcia and keep Bogarde in hand for later, or playing Garcia at RB but being ready to blood Hemmings.

Imagine being that lad in training this week...

Maybe there's also a scenario where Bogarde starts and Garcia comes on later, or a different midfielder in the engine room (McGinn?).

[UK Redsox]

Has there been a situation where Garcia has been fit and Bogarde has been preferred at RB?

Seems that the options are including Garcia and keep Bogarde in hand for later, or playing Garcia at RB but being ready to blood Hemmings.

Imagine being that lad in training this week...

Maybe there's also a scenario where Bogarde starts and Garcia comes on later, or a different midfielder in the engine room (McGinn?).

When Cash has come off, Bogarde has gone to RB even with Garcia on the bench.

eg Basel away. Cash went off at HT, YT went into midfield and Bogey moved to RB

Garcia remained on the bench

[eamonn]

García coming in cold after no football since... last April(?), seems boneheaded. We're better at knuckleball.