Arsenal is set to face one of their toughest recent Premier League challenges this weekend as they travel to Aston Villa, fully aware of the difficulty of securing a win there.
The Villans have become one of the most improved sides in the league and will be competing in the Champions League this season under Unai Emery’s guidance. Emery has turned them into strong contenders for European spots, and Villa defeated Arsenal both home and away last season.
This gives them confidence that they can hand the Gunners an early-season setback when they meet. Villa’s 2-1 win over West Ham in their season opener away from home was the perfect preparation for the upcoming clash against Arsenal.
While injuries can often disrupt a team’s plans, Villa enters the match with minimal concerns. Apart from two long-term absentees, Emery has confirmed that the rest of his squad is fully fit and ready to take on the Gunners.
He said to the Aston Villa Media:
“Kamara is progressing a lot, I think now is the sixth month since he was injured and he had surgery.
“And, more or less, in a few weeks he will start training with us.
“Tyrone Mings is close to start doing something with the team, now he’s working alone but he’s feeling very good.
“Other players, I think they are available.
“We don’t have more issues with injured players.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Even if most of their players are injured, Villa will always be a strong team, so we must prepare well for the game.
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Let’s put the Villans wins of the last campaign in perspective.
It was flucky at best, but the Villans did benefit from VAR transgressions at Villa Park, a game in which they were out played in my opinion.
Why Thomas Partey did not start against Villa at the Emirates is still a mystery, against a team without Douglas Luiz, this one still have me beaten.
The powerful Onano looks great against a good West Ham midfield, but there will still be growing pains as the Villans moves passed their Brazilian talisman Douglas Luiz leadership.
Am still a little surprised how the best defense of last season gave up so much to Wolves even without that Mystery winger Neto, Surely Ollie Watkins would have taken note and hope for a better day.
Forget about Man City and the misfiring Blues who couldn’t mustered a consolation goal on home Turf, Villa VS Arsenal could be the first classic for the 24 25 campaign.
It could also be a massive feather in Emery cap against his former employer.
Although an easy walkover would be far more preferable, in the real world I think it will be a tough test.
If Arsenal wants to put an early marker down for their title ambitions in 2024-25, this is it so I can see Arsenal winning, but probably a tight game overall.
No Jesus as he’s got a groin strain.
Yes. Are we surprised? Should we be surprised? It’s a small reminder that he’s one of a small handful of strikers backing up Havertz, yet he is clearly injury-prone and even when fit just doesn’t score the goals that a No9 should/ is expected to either. There’s still time (just) to bring in someone.