Arsenal v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Chap]

Agreed, enough of this small minded mentality. Unai doesn’t know the meaning of a free hit.

[eye digress]

It’s the lack of options off the bench that will be the real challenge.
Maybe Emery goes for it early and then try’s to hold out.

Which is why I think I'd start with Garcia, and keep Bogarde in hand if we need to change midfield shape later in the game.

[BoVillan esq]

Voted Villa win, we get a draw, would be brilliant, a Villa win would be fantastic for the club but incredible for this story in the Premier League, lets face it we have created a whole atmosphere of excitement for all fans in the Premier league rather than the usual turgid Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea maybe, so long may it continue for everybody, plus we play the better football anyway.

1-1

Fingers crossed 1-3 Villa

[Rudy Can't Fail]

It’s the lack of options off the bench that will be the real challenge.
Maybe Emery goes for it early and then try’s to hold out.

Assuming Watkins gets the start we will have our joint top scorer sitting on the bench. Malen's clinical, then Buendia , two players that make things happen. I'd like to see Garcia come in at right back, saves disrupting the team. I guess it depends if Unai trusts him. Leave Bogarde on the bench as he can cover a couple of positions if needed. Onana to replace Bouba, SJM on the right helping out Garcia when needed and Rogers given a free role. Easy.

[LeeB]

Looks like Rice is out for them tonight.

[Tony Daleys Shorts]

Looks like Rice is out for them tonight.

That’s an excellent piece of news.

[usav]

Looks like Rice is out for them tonight.

And he was going to be there right-back, wasn't he?

[Dave]

Looks like Rice is out for them tonight.

And he was going to be there right-back, wasn't he?

Think Timber might be back

[PaulWinch again]

They’ll have Gabriel back which is massive for them. I just think with our absences this is probably a bridge too far.

[Dave]

They’ll have Gabriel back which is massive for them. I just think with our absences this is probably a bridge too far.

Stamford would have been the last one we were able to capture.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

They’ll have Gabriel back which is massive for them. I just think with our absences this is probably a bridge too far.

Oh come on Paul, we have Watkins finally firing and you're worried about Gabriel? I can only think Smirker has hacked your account.

[john e]

a million percent he won’t start with Garcia tonight

[eye digress]

Looks like Rice is out for them tonight.

And he was going to be there right-back, wasn't he?

Think Timber might be back

Either way, good news for us if he’s out, both in terms of his skill set and leadership abilities.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

a million percent he won’t start with Garcia tonight

Well I rate him. Who do you put there, John? Love Bogarde too but he doesn't have the pace of Garcia. Moving Konsa out right would kill us in the middle.

[cdbearsfan]

I'd be happy to pick Garcia, but will be amazed if he doesn't pick Bogarde right back.