Arsenal v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Behind Bluenose Lines]

I'd love us to win to break that club record, but under  the circumstances (Little Emi's goal the other week, and them wanting revenge), I'd take a draw! Just hope we don't concede early!

We'll save our next defeat until we go to Croydon!  :'(

[usav]

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.

One possibility nobody has mentioned - start Digne or Maatsen at right-back.  I don't think it will happen as MON is not in charge.

[Tony Daleys Shorts]

There’s more chance of me starting at RB than Garcia. Bogarde will start.

The closer it gets the more confident I’m becoming, the news Rice is likely out enhances my optimism whereas I now think we’ll win.

1-2 to us.

[dorsetvillian]

Rumour that Rice is out for arsenal..

[john e]

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.

So do I, but Emery isn’t throwing him in tonight with little to no experience this season

[eye digress]

Unai trusts Bogarde, and that trust has been repaid on quite a few occasions now. So I can see why people think he’s sure to start.

On the other hand, why even have Garcia in the squad if we’re not going to play him?

And in something of a squad crisis situation, using Garcia also gives us more options to change the game later on.

[Dave]

Unai trusts Bogarde, and that trust has been repaid on quite a few occasions now. So I can see why people think he’s sure to start.

On the other hand, why even have Garcia in the squad if we’re not going to play him?

And in something of a squad crisis situation, using Garcia also gives us more options to change the game later on.

The same is true if he doesn't start though - if one of the midfielders is flagging, Garcia can always come on for them and Bogarde moves infield.

[RamboandBruno]

It would be asking a lot (understatement) to throw Garcia in for his first game of the season against Arsenal away.

[Rigadon]

Rumour that Rice is out for arsenal..

Hmm.  I’ll believe that when the teams are announced!  Be good though as he’s their best player I think.  Would make missing Kamara a bit less of a bind. 

[eye digress]

Unai trusts Bogarde, and that trust has been repaid on quite a few occasions now. So I can see why people think he’s sure to start.

On the other hand, why even have Garcia in the squad if we’re not going to play him?

And in something of a squad crisis situation, using Garcia also gives us more options to change the game later on.

The same is true if he doesn't start though - if one of the midfielders is flagging, Garcia can always come on for them and Bogarde moves infield.

Yes, also true - but in that case, you don’t get fresh legs in midfield, where you’d think they’ll most likely be needed.

That said, there are probably other options too - play SJM inside with Malen or Sancho off the right? Or a variety on that sort of theme.

[Mellin]

Rumour that Rice is out for arsenal..

I'm of the mind that the run stops tonight, but if this is true, plus if they're missing a couple from Gabriel, Timber and Calafiori, then it levels the playing field

[Villafirst]

Rice likely to be out with a knee injury according to the Athletic. That's usually a reliable source? If so, it sort of evens it up with Bouba suspended.

[Sexual Ealing]

I like to flatter myself that I have a sense of perspective on all matters football and Villa but I'm like a giddy puppy in a crack den about this. It rarely ends well.

[dorsetvillian]

Mirror are reporting about Declan Rice so maybe true...

[DrGonzo]

He'd likely have been playing RB as Timber has fallen.  If we keep Odegaard quiet we could dominate the midfield.