Aston Villa vs Arsenal: Match facts and injury news

Good afternoon Goner Family, It's Arsenal weekend! shake off all the anger and discouragements the gunners 'might' have caused you during the week, and let;s be optimistic the tides will turn today!
I personally am deeply hurt by the fact that we on game week 5 and we yet to make it more than a single win in the league. The manager as well doesn't look convinced of our performances especially after the 2-0 loss to German heavy weights, Borussia Dortmund in our first Champions league, group D game on Tuesday.

Despite it being the team's first loss since April, what was evident is that we were a totally different team compared to the side that showed resilience against City last weekend.
 Zero concentration,naivety,poor passing, disastrous finishing and mediocre  performance in general.
Seems like Podolski wasn't the only one to lose a thing when he lost his shin pad, but the whole team lost respect from their fans in Germany, especially after our three World cup winning stars put up below par performances.
Today we face Villa, this season's most surprising team so far at the Villa park; a team that has already collected 14 points, 8 better than their opponents.
The villans have three wins and a draw in their opening four games of the league campaign. Under their new management, the 2nd placed team have found form with their new counter attacking style courtesy of Roy Keane, Lambert's understudy. Gunners have been vulnerable not only on set piece defending but also on counter attacks-which will again be tested today.
The last time these two teams met, Two goals in the space of 59 seconds from Wilshere and Giroud sent Arsenal back to the summit of the Premier League with a hard-fought victory at Villa Park, in January.

It was a nervy match especially towards the end after Benteke had marked his return to the team with 76th minute diving header goal.
Benteke is set to miss today's match with a calf injury together with his captain, Ron Vlaar.

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal will begin life without Debuchy and Giroud after the two Frenchmen were ruled out for up to 3 months each with respective injuries. Walcott is back in training after a lengthy layoff while Gnabry is still recuperating from his knee injury.

Wenger on Monreal: He will miss the game on Saturday. It's his back and it's always difficult to predict [the length of absence with those injuries], we don't really know. I don't think it will be long-term.
On Chambers and Flamini: We have [Calum] Chambers back because he had tonsillitis and wasn’t available. And everybody who started the game will be available again.

Flamini’s back as well because he wasn’t on the team sheet. He’s back and available.
 Wilshere: He's available too. I was wrong [after the Dortmund game], it was his left ankle and it was only a click that made him turn his ankle a bit, so he’s alright.

 
Referee: Mike Jones. 

MATCH FACTS

*Danny Welbeck has scored 3 goals in his last 2 BPL starts against Aston Villa


*Arsenal are undefeated in 28 of their last 31 matches against Aston Villa in all competitions.

*Arsenal have drawn their last 3 matches in the Premier League.

*Aston Villa have seen over 2.5 goals in 8 of their last 9 matches against Arsenal in all competitions.

 *Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League visits to Villa Park, winning eight and drawing seven.

*Arsenal haven’t been beaten Aston Villa in the BPL at Villa Park this century (in 15 matches)

 *Neither home side scored a point in these two fixtures last season with Aston Villa surprising Arsenal 3-1 at The Emirates on the opening day of last season whilst Arsenal beat Villa 2-1 at Villa Park.

*Aston Villa have created an average of 5.25 chances per 90 minutes played this season compared to Arsenal’s average of 12.50.

*Villa have beaten Arsenal just three times in their last 11 Premier League attempts.
All the best to Arsenal today!

My predictions: 2-2 (Welbeck,Sanchez)
 









@bryoshavin