Arsenal return to the Emirates after a 2 week period, which saw us fend off Premier League champions Manchester City 2-0 and Championship side Brighton 3-2 in the Fourth round of the FA Cup. After a good January, where we have scored 10 goals and conceded 4 times, we host Aston Villa at the Emirates on Sunday. Here is my prediction for the game:
Key Men
Arsenal – Santi Cazorla/ Tomas Rosicky
We’ve seen how Alexis Sanchez has had such an amazing start to his Arsenal Career. But the star men of the last few matches have got to be Cazorla and Rosicky, both with outstanding performances in the month of January. Against Brighton, Rosicky was able to secure a start and he made fine use of the opportunity. With great build up, he was able to score and assist to claim the match ball. For Cazorla, his powerful display against a Manchester City side has put him in hot form, going into the most important stage of the season. With Champions League, FA and Premier League fixtures fast approaching, his form has come at the perfect time.
Aston Villa – Carles Gil
Carles Gil has only made a single, full debut for Aston Villa this season, after signing from Valencia for £3.2million 2 weeks ago. He is a playmaker and striker, but failed to impress at Valencia. But against Bournemouth last week in the FA Cup, he scored possibly the best goal in the competition so far, sending Aston Villa through to the next round. Aston Villa have only scored 11 goals in the premier League this season, and so there is a good chance he will be given an opportunity. The goal would have given him a lot of confidence, so he will come out fighting on Sunday.
Watch his goal from the FA Cup, along with shortened highlights of the match. (Around 1:04) http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30971028
Most Probable Outcome:
With Tottenham hosting us next week, Arsene Wenger may consider resting players in anticipation for the North London Derby. With Alexis Sanchez completing a fitness test on his hamstring, the Gunners will possibly play Theo Walcott to continue his transition back into the first team. Due to his position as an unused sub on Sunday, Cazorla will most likely be in Wenger’s team, possibly alongside Coquelin and Ramsey. The team will carry a lot of threat coming forward, and so goals are expected.
On the defensive side, Ospina returns after missing last week due to the birth of his new child, and is expected to return to the posts on Sunday. In front of him, we will most likely line-up with a Koscienly and Mertesacker partnership, with new signing Gabriel Paulista most likely making an appearance at some point during the game.
Prediction:
Arsenal 3 – 0 Aston Villa
Aston Villa have scored the least amount of goals this season, but are sitting 15th in the table, and you never know what team will turn up. We may play an attacking Aston Villa team with a Brave heart attitude, or a defensive minded team, wanting to grab a point. But because we are playing at home, and with our vast squad depth (Yes I just said that) in the midfield, I can only see one winner. Our recent defensive displays have shown we can hold our own, and so I hope to see a clean sheet also.