Arsenal face Aston Villa at the Emirates this weekend, hoping to extend their Premier League unbeaten run to 12 games. The Gunners need be at their best to overcome a Villa side who have exceeded expectations as they push for Champions League football. Last Word on Football looks at how Arsenal can take all three points against Unai Emery’s side.
Keys for Arsenal to Beat Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium
Watch: Can Arsenal Win The Premier League?
Stop Fast Villa Attacks
One of the ways this Aston Villa side have been catching opposition teams out this season has been the fluidity of their attack. They are experts at transitioning with fast breaks through the rapid attacking force of Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey, and Moussa Diaby.
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If the Gunners restrict and control the tempo, they may need the legs to deal with the possibility of fast breaks charging at their defence. This would be helped by Jorginho, who is an intelligent ball player but not the most athletically exuberant, dropping out for Thomas Partey. The Ghanaian international, alongside Declan Rice, would contribute to defending the large spaces the North London side leave behind them and where Emery’s side will look to exploit.
This could also be an audition for a possible midfield option to start away at the Allianz when Arsenal face Bayern in the Champions League next week.
Take Advantage of Space Left By Villa’s High Line
When analysing how Arsenal may benefit in attack – they will be hoping that Villa deploy the same tactic that they executed excellently in their reverse victory at Villa Park.
Although they managed to keep the Gunners out on that occasion, it is a highly risky tactic against an Arsenal attack that has highly impactful movement and pace through Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka.
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Villa will also be without important starter Douglas Luiz, who has been a rock in front of their defence all season due to a suspension picked up last weekend. This may lead to Arsenal having time and space to thread their passes through the Villa back line and hopefully get high-quality chances to win the game. With Martin Odegaard on the ball, the title-chasing Gunners will be capable of doing what has increased their title chances considerably and breaking down stubborn away defences.
If Arsenal manage to restrict Villa from breaking with pace at their back line – they will have a chance of making it 12 games unbeaten in the Premier League. A one-game-at-a-time mentality will see the red half of North London edge closer to winning its first Premier League title in 20 years.
