Arsenal travel to Villa Park in the hopes of getting things back on track after what has been a less-than impressive start to the season. Injuries, individuals out of form and players being played out of position all need to be overcome in what is sure to be a tough game against the side second in the table.
Aston Villa have made their best league start for 16 years, having taken 10 points from a possible 12. Paul Lambert’s signings have gelled quickly, with Phillip Senderos belying his gaffe-prone reputation thus far and Tom Cleverley another player with a point to prove. Recent England debutant Fabian Delph has also excelled at the heart of an in-form Villa.
Arsenal will be reeling from their defeat at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday and will be looking to bounce back at a ground where they have not lost since 1998. Deadline day arrival Danny Welbeck will be keen to open his scoring account while the injury-ravaged Arsenal defence will be in search of their first Premier League clean sheet of the season. Alexis Sanchez is in fine form, with three goals already, and Villa will be desperate to keep him quiet.
Worries over Jack Wilshere have proved unfounded as his ankle turn against Dortmund appears to have been minor and he’s in the squad. The boss said, “It was his left ankle and it was only a kick. He is alright.” Calum Chambers has recovered from tonsillitis while Mathieu Flamini, who was kept out of the Champions League game with a minor thigh problem, also returns. However, and there’s always a however, the Mathieu Debuchy situation is still not clarified, as the manager said, “We’ll know about Debuchy tonight after his examination whether he’ll need surgery. “If he doesn’t need surgery, it’ll be six weeks. If he does need surgery, it will be three months.”
Arsenal likely lineup: Szczesny; Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta; Alexis, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil; Welbeck.
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