Arsenal must back up their mid-week North London Derby win against Aston Villa in Saturday’s late kick-off to put pressure on Liverpool at the top of the table.
By Graham Ruthven
Momentum builder
Wednesday’s win over Tottenham Hotspur must be a catalyst for Arsenal to build momentum again. The Gunners can’t allow the four-point gap between themselves and Liverpool to grow any further otherwise the title race could be over sooner rather than later.
Some believe Liverpool already have the title wrapped up. However, Arne Slot’s side face a tricky test away to Brentford on Saturday, meaning Arsenal might have the opportunity to apply pressure on the table-toppers by the time they face Aston Villa a few hours later.
Villa enter Saturday’s match at the Emirates Stadium on the back of a three-game winning run. Unai Emery’s team have recovered from a difficult period which saw them go eight matches without a win in November to once again climb the Premier League table.
Last season, Aston Villa claimed all three points away to Arsenal in a match that all but ended the Gunners hopes of winning the Premier League. It might be much earlier in the campaign this time, but Arsenal’s title chances are once again on the line.
Key players
Saturday’s match in North London could be decided in midfield where both teams will set up to have control. Arsenal will have Declan Rice, Thomas Partey and Martin Ødegaard while Aston Villa boast Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemens. The midfield battle will be worth watching.
Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba’s partnership in central defence is frequently the foundation from which Arsenal build on. The former also poses a goal threat, as he demonstrated by forcing a goal from a corner kick against Spurs.
In attack, Arsenal are currently depleted through a number of injuries to key players. Kai Havertz is expected to start up front despite facing criticism for his finishing in recent defeats to Newcastle United and Manchester United.
Morgan Rogers will be a threat for Villa having registered five goal contributions in his last five games while Ollie Watkins has rediscovered his scoring touch recently, netting twice in four outings.
Donyell Malen – named as a FotMob Transfer of the Week – could make his Premier League debut after joining Aston Villa from Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, although the Dutchman is most likely to start on the bench.
Team news
Arsenal’s injury troubles have worsened recently with Gabriel Jesus joining Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu on the sidelines after coming off against Manchester United in the FA Cup last weekend.
Riccardo Calafiori hasn’t played since early January due to a muscle injury, but could feature against Aston Villa. Myles Lewis-Skelley is, however, expected to keep his place at left back with Jurrien Timber on the right side of the defence.
John McGinn and Ross Barkley will both miss out through injury with Diego Carlos and Pau Torres also currently sidelined. Otherwise, Emery has a full squad to pick from for the trip to North London.
Prediction
This could be a cagy affair where both sides cancel each other out – Villa are in form but the Gunners don’t draw a blank that often, so we’ll go with a 1-1 draw.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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