3. Alan Hutton – Defender
The 30-year old Scottish right back was signed on a four-year contract by Aston Villa in August 2011 but after a disappointing first season was loaned out to Nottingham Forest, then Mallorca and finally Bolton. Hutton returned to Villa in the pre-season of 2014 where he made a strong start and found himself as first choice right back. On 16 September he signed another contract with Villa, this time for three years. Hutton’s direct threat to Arsenal comes from the following strengths: his 67% success rate in aerial duels as well as his ability to intercept and block the ball. He is also excellent at crosses and has a 76% successful pass rate. While Villa may not have scored many goals this current season, Hutton managed to score one against Leicester in the aforementioned game back in December. Hutton’s perceived weaknesses (his failure in holding onto the ball and weak tackling skills) may end up being our strength.
While statistics are a mere product of number crunching, statistically Arsenal should be able to pull this one-off and not be undone by a somewhat downtrodden Aston Villa. Or let us hope so.