Aston Villa Vs Arsenal

by RealGunner Sun Jan 12, 2014 1:41 am

http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/scaled/696x392/feb_13/gun__1359972806_oxlade_chamberlain3.jpg

le retour du Ox

Aston Villa Vs Arsenal
Monday, 20:00 BST Kick Off
Villa Park
Referee: N. Swarbrick

Positivity is the key

Arsenal were rocked by the news that Walcott will be out for 6 months. The fans and the club both were definitely not expecting something to that extreme so it came as a shocker. Walcott is very important to us. He is one of the main goal threats while also one of those players who brings us something different in the side. Something crucial. This is probably why we have to take a step back and evaluate where we are in terms of players, our strength and or weakness. I am sure Arsene has been busy doing exactly that and for the right reasons because it changes the entire plan when one of the key element of your team gets taken off. We have to make plans in how to replace those goals, how to substitute the missing attacking power, how to fit in other players and how to make sure everyone is still mentally strong without finding excuses regarding the missing element. This is why I believe positivity is the key in getting out of this phase. I may very well be exaggerating Walcott's importance but for me, he is this important to talk about in this depth and manner. We have enough quality in our squad to perhaps cover up Walcott but sometimes it's more of a mental thing than physical.

Aston Villa

We lost our opening game at home to Aston Villa. Perhaps it was due to horrible officiating or perhaps it was just us being bad. But we lost and at home, it was something which never should have happened. Monday is the day where we make the wrongs into rights. Revenge isn't exactly the word I am looking for but we have to avoid what happened on the opening day and send out a message that what happened at the Emirates was a fluke and nothing more. With that out of the way, a lot has happened from August till Jan. We signed Ozil, we have basically been on top of the PL for majority of the season and Aston Villa have been hanging around mid table to lower mid. Probably just about where they belong. Villa park is usually a tricky place to go but I fully expect us to go and win there.

Team News

For Arsenal, Giroud and Ozil are back. Oxlade is back as well and played a bit in the U21 match so expecting him on the bench and might get last 10-20 minutes if the match permits. Gibbs might make the bench but Ramsey won't be able to make it. Both will definitely be back against Fulham. Won't go and talk about the long term injuries since that's a little bit depressing.

For Aston Villa, they will assess the condition of defenders Ron Vlaar and Nathan Baker. Agbonlahor and Guzan are both fit but Chris Herd and Joe Bennet will be out

Probable Arsenal Team

--------------------------------------Szczesny----------------------------------

Sagna------------------Mertesacker--------------Koscielny---------------Monreal

------------------------Arteta---------------Wilshere----------------------------

Rosicky---------------------------Ozil----------------------------------Cazorla

--------------------------------------Giroud-------------------------------------

Probable Aston Villa Team

------------------------------------Guzan---------------------------------------

Lowton-------------------Vlaar-------------Clark-----------------------Luna

Weimann---------Delph--------Westwood------El Ahamady---------Agbonlahor

---------------------------------------Benteke-----------------------------------

Match Facts (fourfourtwo)

Victory in this game would be Aston Villa's 300th in Barclays Premier League history.
Arsenal are unbeaten in 14 Barclays Premier League trips to Villa Park, winning seven and drawing seven.
Aston Villa have had loss/loss results in their last seven home defeats against Arsenal
The Gunners' 14 game unbeaten run at Villa is their longest away run without defeat against a single side in Premier League history.
Arsenal conceded two penalties in the reverse fixture against Aston Villa this season for the first time in the PL since Feb 5 2011 v Newcastle.
Aston Villa have had Over 2.5 goals in their last three matches against top-six teams.
No team has scored the first goal in more Premier League games this season than Arsenal (15). Conversely, no side has scored the first goal on fewer occasions this season than Aston Villa (5).
The Villains have kept just two clean sheets in their last 21 home league matches.
Aston Villa have won only one of their last nine Premier League home games in January (W1 D4 L4).

Final Words

Hoping for a good win.

by Lex Sun Jan 12, 2014 1:44 am

What about Lord Bendtner? Sad

by Lex Sun Jan 12, 2014 1:45 am

Given that we'll most definitely be 3rd by the time we play Villa, it's another must win game if we want to maintain our title bid

by Great Leader Sprucenuce Sun Jan 12, 2014 1:50 am

Lex wrote:Given that we'll most definitely be 3rd by the time we play Villa, it's another must win game if we want to maintain our title bid

I find this lack of faith disturbing Sad

Spoiler:

by El Gunner Sun Jan 12, 2014 9:30 am

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:
Lex wrote:Given that we'll most definitely be 3rd by the time we play Villa, it's another must win game if we want to maintain our title bid

I find this lack of faith disturbing

Spoiler:

I actually think Newcastle can at least make it tough for City today.

On our game: We should be really taking Villa to the cleaners.

by Jay29 Sun Jan 12, 2014 1:05 pm

After that craptastic game at the Emirates at the start of the season, I sincerely hope we demolish these guys. Villa have a poor home record and have generally been average all season, so I see this as a chance to get a good win under our belts.

I'd hazard a guess that Villa are going to use the same tactics they used at the Emirates. Hopefully, this time, we won't have such an enormous gap between our midfield and defence, and we stand up better to any physicality (and that the ref is actually competent and books players for excessive physicality). I would be tempted to start Flamini in this game, so we have more midfield protection.

We're less dangerous without Walcott, but we should be fine so long as we have midfield runners. When we play with five midfielders, we sometimes lack penetration as nobody looks to get in advance of Giroud. We need the likes of Rosicky, Ozil and Wilshere to make those runs. If we can do that, and pass the ball the same speed and precision we did against Spurs, we should get goals. Otherwise, we may have to rely on Podolski, Gnabry and Chamberlain coming off the bench and open things up with their directness, assuming neither of them start. It's good that we have those options to change the game if need be.

by SamuelJayC Sun Jan 12, 2014 1:32 pm

Great work RG. (Couldn't get on here in the past 3 days, as I told you on twitter, issues with the UK gateway into site).

Agree with the line up. Gibbs trained this morning, but probably Monreal will start again. That'd give us a bench of: Fabianski Jenkinson Gibbs Flamini Gnabry Chamberlain Podolski - which has good options.

We simply have to win. Villa have 2nd worst home record in PL.

by RealGunner Sun Jan 12, 2014 2:12 pm

Is it ok now Sam?

by yankeegunner Sun Jan 12, 2014 3:18 pm

Hello all I am new here.

I really like reading Sam's post on here and twitter. Hopefully the gooners will pull out a victory tomorrow. Like others have stated we should punish Villa for the home defeat in the first game of the season. I would like to think that our squad has much more confidence since our first meeting with Villa. The negativity swirling around the club at the beginning of the season was at an all-time high.

by RealGunner Sun Jan 12, 2014 3:45 pm

Welcome mate

by REWB Sun Jan 12, 2014 4:37 pm

should be an easy win, villa aint all that at home.

by VendettaRed07 Sun Jan 12, 2014 6:19 pm

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:
Lex wrote:Given that we'll most definitely be 3rd by the time we play Villa, it's another must win game if we want to maintain our title bid

I find this lack of faith disturbing

Spoiler:

So unlucky Mole. BS game.

Anyhow, this will be difficult. Must must win. Have to work really hard to get results until Wenger eventually brings someone else in to help take a little pressure off.

by Raptorgunner Sun Jan 12, 2014 10:23 pm

Great work RG.

Man I hate waiting until Monday to watch the game. bounce

We must give them a good beating. Its nice to have such a long rest, I am sure many players welcomed this long break. Glad to see Oxlade back.
--------------------------------------Szczesny----------------------------------

Sagna------------------Mertesacker--------------Koscielny---------------Monreal

------------------------Arteta---------------Wilshere----------------------------

Rosicky---------------------------Ozil----------------------------------Cazorla

--------------------------------------Podolski-------------------------------------

by Raptorgunner Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:26 pm

Wenger-has-confidence-in-Giroud

"People want always new names, but what is important for us is that Giroud is back," said Wenger, who has likened the France international's style to the former Arsenal striker Alan Smith.

"He was a bit tired recently, but now he is refreshed and I am sure he will have a major impact on the second part of the season."

The Gunners boss continued: "When you speak to the coaches after the game they say 'oh, what a client he is'.

"Giroud has qualities that the rest of the squad has not got, he always gives us that strength.

"We have small players who combine quickly, so to find someone who can hold it, keep the ball, make some room for other players, he does that very well and gives us a very good balance."

Wenger, though, accepts it is something of a "gamble" to rely on the 11-goal forward lasting the distance. "Yes, it is, that is why we are out there," he said.

Giroud had to sit out the New Year's Day game against Cardiff after suffering an ankle injury at Newcastle, where his goal secured a 1-0 win, and then missed the Spurs cup tie after illness.

"He's a tough, tough boy. Even when the medical people say he should rest, he says: 'I'm alright.' He needed five stitches after the game at Newcastle," said Wenger.

"He played the whole game at Newcastle with an open ankle (wound) and without complaining - and when I took him off, he didn't want to come off.

"He is always ready for a fight even when he is tired."

"We are looking at a guy who has good individual talent, he can pass people, is a good finisher, and has a very good football brain with good vision," said Wenger.

"Gnabry has great pace, is two footed, can finish right and left. He has a lot in the locker."

"There is more than a small chance (of a place in the Germany World Cup squad). There is a big chance."

City beat Newcastle 2-0 on Sunday to move ahead of Chelsea, who won at Hull, and now sit two points clear of Arsenal to underline their status as league title favourites.

Wenger, though, insist his side are ready to upset the odds again with another impressive victory of their own on Monday night.

"Man City are the favourites from everybody's specialist eyes, but we are here to deny that and at the moment we are in front of them (if we win)," he said.

"Nobody gave us any points, we have earned them. We just have to keep a strong belief and I am sure we can do it.

"It is linked with belief and we need to continue to develop as a team because you could see against Tottenham that this team is still growing."

by Lex Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:38 pm

Ffs Mole, I initiated a level 7 jynx and you had to go and mash it up Sad

by Raptorgunner Mon Jan 13, 2014 12:00 am

by Sri Mon Jan 13, 2014 3:32 am

Jack predicting the scoreline? hmm

by RealGunner Mon Jan 13, 2014 10:00 am

Nah he just scored a goal in training

by boyzis Mon Jan 13, 2014 10:28 am

Na

In premier league all games except 2 finished at a score line of 2-0. Except three games
1)Fulham 1 Sunderland 4
2) Southampton 1 west from 0
3) Store 3 Liverpool 5

Add match 1 and match 2. Score is 2-4. 2-0 winning margin.
Match 3 Liverpool won by two goals. All results winning teams won by two goals in premier league.

In LA liga every team won by 1 goal on Sunday.

by boyzis Mon Jan 13, 2014 10:32 am

Troll post ^^^^^ Laughing

by halamadrid2 Mon Jan 13, 2014 2:09 pm

Won't ozil be at the Fifa Gala this afternoon since he will probably make the team???

by Wilson37 Mon Jan 13, 2014 2:40 pm

any idea on the team today..
really interesting to see whether Wenger trusts Poldi and starts using him more now or will we revert back to the 5 man midfied ?

by Raptorgunner Mon Jan 13, 2014 2:42 pm

Wilson37 wrote:any idea on the team today..
really interesting to see whether Wenger trusts Poldi and starts using him more now or will we revert back to the 5 man midfied ?

This will be the line up imo.
____________ Szczesny
_ Sagna ___ Mert ___ Kos ___ Gibbs
________ Arteta __ Wilshere
_ Gnabry/Rosicky ______ Özil ______ Cazorla
____________ Giroud

by Wilson37 Mon Jan 13, 2014 2:53 pm

Raptorgunner wrote:
Wilson37 wrote:any idea on the team today..
really interesting to see whether Wenger trusts Poldi and starts using him more now or will we revert back to the 5 man midfied ?
This will be the line up imo.
____________ Szczesny
_ Sagna ___ Mert ___ Kos ___ Gibbs
________ Arteta __ Wilshere
_ Gnabry/Rosicky ______ Özil ______ Cazorla
____________ Giroud

i hope Poldi gets a regular starting role in LW.. all other midifielders can be very good.. but Poldi is the best player to compensate the goals which we miss by Walcott injury.. or we will be fighting every match to grind out 1-0 2-0 results, which will take its toll on the squad..

by Raptorgunner Mon Jan 13, 2014 3:00 pm

I agree, not sure why we keep starting Santi on the left when that's not his strongest position. It would be nice to start Podolski and see him and Ozil what they can do.

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