Gabriel Paulista! Yes Gabriel is a Gunner! finally Wenger succumbed to Arsenal fans' cries to sign Vermaelen's replacement.Yes and what's sexy is the fact that he once again cemented the fact that La Liga is his newly acquired players supplier, by swooping 24-year-old tested and proven Paulista from Villareal.
Welcome to Arsenal young man, where Koscielny and Mertesacker will be your new super enemies and where Wenger will be your super dad till you cost us that Champions League Quarter Final berth, or fail to head butt Costa at Emirates, lest you want to see Monreal playing as a make shift Center half.
Paulista becomes Arsenal's second January signing after the acquisition of 17-year-old Krystian Bieilik from Legia Warsaw, weeks back. Despite him looking like an ex convict ready to smash the hell out of Costa's old head, he also becomes one of Wenger's most expensive defenders in recent history, with only Debuchy (£12M) heading our million dollar back line.
Having being among the top interceptors in La Liga, Paulista not only looks set to tackle and intercept all these so called ruthless Premier League scorers, but his attitude is simply heart warming to every gooner out there.
"I am very anxious and that is something that is normal to a young player, playing at such a high level. So I am very anxious to be able to start at this huge, beautiful stadium, a stadium that the fans come to, to be able to support us. It’s something I've always noticed when I watch Arsenal." Said Paulista in his first ever interview with the club.
Moving on swiftly, it's two years since Arsenal's most improved player Monreal signed for Arsenal. Monreal signed for the club for an estimated, £8.5M from Malaga. Even though he's for a while persevered being Arsenal's easiest target/ scapegoat whenever we slip against the big guns, the Spanish international has taken this season by a storm, keeping a number of clean sheets, making crucial interceptions as well as having an assist to his name. Just like Ramsey turned out to be the club's savior after several years of poor performances last season, so will Monreal be instrumental for us in this and coming campaigns.
Yes we are on to the fifth round of the FA Cup, thanks to a 3-2 win over resilient Brighton side. Who cares whether we conceded twice and set up a nervy but convincing ending? it's the FA Cup where the final score is all that matters, plus every other team in the competition plays to win Britain's most prestigious trophy . Sorry Wimbledon championship.
Once again Rosicky, proved me right that he is the finest wine in Britain's best liquor store. The mistakenly 24-year-old oops, 34-year-old Czech international, put up one of the most complete performances in an Arsenal jersey.
Taking over Cazorla's mantle in N0. 10 role, the little Mozart produced some fine moments against Brighton. His pass for Mesut Özil’s goal was superbly executed, while his goal presented another epic moment when both class and experience meet. In short the build up to his winner, was simply orgasmic and any Brighton fan who never bothered to celebrate his 'look away' passe should in fact be punished!
What a player! "Rosicky with playground football, just playing for fun" said the commentator after Arsenal's captain for the day, smashed a 20 yard volley into the net , and his celebration was simply fantastic, he is the king.
Another player who stole the headlines was Ozil, who impressed from the flanks, capitalizing the performance with a well taken goal, similar to the one he scored against Everton in Arsenal's 4-1 win in the club's road to Wembley success last term.
The question or rather the sweet fact is ; with both Ozil and Walcott paying the manager's faith in them with goals in Cazorla and Sanchez's absence, who will Wenger overlook in future assignments as Arsenal look to stage a strong run in, in all three competitions? . Bad news is, Sanchez suffered a hamstring injury in training while Oxlade is also out with a recurring groin problem. But this could as well Arsenal's blessing in disguise, as the super dynamic Cazorla got the much deserved break and ready to rumble again. Rosicky who can also play on the flanks will be one of the injuries beneficiaries as well as Ramsey, Coquelin and Flamini depending on the manager's tactical approach.
Aston Villa have already tasted six defeats in recent matches, but whoever can remember the infamous 1-3 loss two years ago, wouldn't take Paul Lambert's men for granted. Their players have always had a tendency of upping their tempo as well as initiating strong fighting spirits whenever they visit the Emirates.
Aston Villa had a successful half hour at Villa Park before Ozil, Welbeck and Cissokho's own goal took just three minutes to break the duck and score all the matches goals. Are we ready for a repeat of that? Who would mind it?.
After a successful 0-2 league win over defending champions at their own backyard, we should expect an elated atmosphere at the Emirates, with fans yet to taste a loss or a draw in the last four consecutive games, with just a single loss (vs Southampton) in the last six matches in all competitions. Let's make it five in a row Arsenal!
So with Monreal successfully ordered a warm bench for Gibbs in the technical area, I expect Wenger to retain him on the left flank but Sunday will be too early for Paulista, regardless of whether Wenger insisted that he's ready to go. Bellerin should return to the lineup after he was rested vs Brighton while Flamini looks likely to lose his spot for Coquelin.
Ramsey might play alongside Cazorla, Rosicky and Ozil in midfield, should Wenger decide to rest Walcott, while Giroud could extend his six goals tally, upfront. Ooooospina! should return between the sticks with Szczesny conceding twice in his return after being ousted by the Colombian shot stopper. Koscielny and Mertesacker completes my predicted lineup.
My AFCvAVFC predictions: 3-1 (Ozil, Cazorla,Rosicky)
MATCH FACTS:
*Despite beating Bournemouth in the FA Cup last week, Aston Villa have gone eight hours and 42 minutes since scoring a League goal on December 20.
*Villa have won on three previous occasions at the Emirates, including on the opening day of last season, but it will be a big shock if Paul Lambert's relegation-threatened team leave north London with anything this time.
*Arsenal have scored five goals in their last two Premier League games against Villa, all between the 32nd and 36th minutes.
*Aston Villa have fired in just 60 shots on target this season, fewer than any other team in the division.
*Only Derby (10 in 2007-08) have scored fewer goals after 22 matches of a Premier League season than Aston Villa have managed this campaign (11).
*Villa are currently on a run of 5 league games without a goal. The side have never went 6 league games without scoring.
*Christian Benteke has 3 goals in 4 league games against Arsenal. Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck meanwhile has 4 goals in his last 3 league starts against Aston Villa.
*Aston Villa have earned 11 points at the Emirates Stadium. The only side to earn more points at Arsenals home ground is Chelsea and Man United with 12.
*The last time the two sides met at the Emirates was August 2013 where Villa ran out 3-1 winners. Benteke scored twice that day>
*Top goalscorer in this Premier League fixture is Thierry Henry. The former Arsenal hero netted 12 times against the Villains.
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