By Danong
For the final time in 2025, Arsenal take to the field as they welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates on Tuesday night.
When the two sides last met in early December, the Gunners were left frustrated, conceding a last‑minute strike that condemned them to a 2-1 defeat at Villa Park.
However, as determined as Arsenal have been, they bounced back swiftly from that defeat, stringing together victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton, and Brighton & Hove Albion.
This clash, therefore, offers them the perfect chance to prove that defeat was nothing more than a fluke.
With Gabriel Magalhães back in contention and Martin Odegaard rediscovering his scoring touch, the North Londoners head into this fixture highly motivated, determined to put an end to Villa’s remarkable 11‑match winning run.
Arteta will also have to be ready to counteract Emery’s emerging tactic. That of allowing the ball to the opponent, tiring them out and then unleashing his fresh players inclusive of Watkins in the second half as he has done against Chelsea and to us in their home game.
Timber, who was rested as a precaution in the 2-1 win over Brighton, is likely to return. If fit, his quality makes him an automatic starter. And his presence releases Rice to play in his natural position in midfield.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Magalhaes, having made a cameo against the Seagulls, could be handed his first start since injury.
His rock‑solid partnership with William Saliba has been sorely missed, with Arsenal struggling to keep clean sheets in his absence.
It goes without saying that if Calafiori is fit he will start in place of Hincapie.
With the backline reinforced and the rest of the team firing, Arsenal should approach this contest with intent and aggression.
Raya
Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie
Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard
Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard
And play free flowing football without nerves please...
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment