• 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).
  

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

Spoiler:

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:

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:

"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."

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 ?

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