Emi Martinez returns to the Emirates Stadium again as round 9 of the Premier League sees the Gunners welcome Aston Villa
Arsenal v Aston Villa kicks off at 20:00 on Friday, 22nd October in the Emirates Stadium. Referee Craig Pawson will take charge of the tie.
The match will also be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League Ireland with coverage starting at 19:30.
Arsenal are a very happy team at the moment, their recent unbeaten run has got them into 12th place. Last week, after feeling hard done against Crystal Palace, they still managed a last-minute draw.
Bukayo Saka is now out with injuries due to a reckless challenge by McArthur that only saw yellow. Mikel Arteta will need his fringe players, Alexandre Lacazette and Gabriel Martinelli, to step up this weekend.
Aston Villa has hit a hard spot in their season’s form. Two recent losses have them in 13th place, one spot behind their weekend opponents.
Last week, they played some great football for 80 minutes only for three late Wolves goals to steal the match. You can read more here about the casino roulette feel it is watching them. Dean Smith will now be hungry for a win to get their team back on track.
The Gunners’ fans might be optimistic going into this game. In their last 18 meetings, Arsenal has won 12 games while Villa has won five. This is very unlikely to be a draw going by history with only one game ending in a draw.
Arteta’s main problem is that his team has lost their last three games on the bounce without scoring. September 2019 was the last time that the London Reds were victorious in this fixture.
You can see Ramsdale-type passion from all the players even White who looks like a calm character!! The spirit is back!! Arsenal is coming! #COYG pic.twitter.com/2LWrh6n5WS
— GravityGooner✨ (@Gravitygunner14) October 21, 2021
Arsenal v Aston Villa Probable Starting Teams
Arsenal
Formation
4-2-3-1
Probable Starting 11
Ramsdale (GK), Tierney, White, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Lokonga, Partey, Odegaard, Smith-Rowe, Aubameyang, Lacazette
Injuries / Suspensions
Saka (Calf), Xhaka (Knee)
Aston Villa
Formation
3-5-2
Probable Starting 11
Martinez (GK), Konsa, Tuanzebe, Mings, Targett, Buendia, Luiz, McGinn, Cash, Bailey, Ings.
Injuries / Suspensions
Trezeguet (Knee)
The boss starts with team news: “Matty Cash is back training now, so he’s fine.
“Leon Bailey has been back training for the last couple of days, so he’s fine as well, as is Bertrand Traoré. Keinan Davis is also back, so we’re starting to get a fully fit squad.”#ARSAVL pic.twitter.com/XeN8ePzOpS
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) October 21, 2021
Arsenal v Aston Villa Betting
Arsenal to win: 10/11
Draw: 5/2
Aston Villa to win: 14/5
Score Prediction
This might be the best chance for Arsenal to win against Villa. They are back at home in front of a full crowd, unbeaten in six matches while the Clarets have lost their last two. Without young star Saka, it will not be easy but they should have enough attacking power to clutch a victory.
Expect the game to end 3-2 to Arsenal.
6 years ago today, Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal beat Bayern Munich 2-0 at the Emirates.
My favourite picture from a memorable night. pic.twitter.com/sj1Nxpkf2e
— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) October 20, 2021
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