Morning all.
As much as I love the Christmas decorations and putting them up pre the festive period, there’s something good about taking them down which I did at the weekend. No more dodgems with the vacuum or duster! But it’s about more than that for me, it’s about Spring being just around the corner and all it brings. Plants and flowers start to grow, the smell of fresh grass being cut and of course, football going into the second half of the season.
It’s a time when results really do matter. I know that sounds stupid because every result matters but right now, Arsenal FC sit top of the league and the aim is to be there come the end of May.
The Emirates Stadium is our home and it has to be our fortress for the next five months. Starting tonight against an Aston Villa side who sneaked a 2-1 win at Villa Park just a few of weeks ago.
Players are missing from both sides. Emery is without Mings, Barkley, Torres, Kamara, Cash and Guessand. Elliot is a doubt too through illness.
Emery is being touted as a tactical genius after his team came back to beat Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge but Chelsea should have had a penalty when they were 1-0 up. Decisions like that make a difference. We know that only too well.
I think many of us know what to expect from tonight’s opposition but as always, Adrian Clarke, writing in the official matchday programme:
In recent weeks, Emery has favoured a deliberately narrow 4-2-3-1, with ‘wingers’ John McGinn and Morgan Rogers regularly seen infield, providing solidity down the spine of the pitch
Earlier this month at Villa Park, they did a great job of pouncing on loose passes to launch fast breaks. Knowing how we like to push our full-backs forward, they raided us with effective long passes aimed down the flanks when possession changed hands, aiming to create situations where Watkins or Rogers could stride into space to hurt us in 2v2s.
Most of their best moments three weeks ago stemmed from situations where they won the ball back inside a crowded middle third. Looking after the ball securely in that part of the pitch, without leaving ourselves short on numbers at the back, will be important.
Villa are into double figures for goals from long distance, helped by Rogers who has scored more from outside the box than any other top-flight player this season, but chance creation is an issue as 11 clubs have registered more big chances, while the Villans rank 14th for expected goals. At the other end of the pitch meanwhile, only five Premier League sides have faced more shots than Villa this season.
I know I keep saying it but at some stage, our luck in front of goal has to change. Our players are too good to keep on missing the target. Saka and Odegaard will at some stage see a teammate in a better position rather than shooting into a defender. I know we all want to see more shots but when a defender is stood right in front one of our players, what’s the point as 99 times out of 100 that shot is likely to be blocked.
Mikel Arteta spoke yesterday about tonight’s game:
We have a really tough match. We know their level, what they are doing, but it’s a beautiful game as well to prepare and play. They merit to be there. Look at what they are doing and how consistent they’ve been, and what Unai has done with the club. I think they fully deserve that credit because they are doing it on the pitch where you have to show your level.
We’ll watch it (the away game) back. I have a few ideas and things that we have to do better. It was quite cruel as well, the way we lost it, but we’ll learn from it.
Could have done with watching the Villa game long before now because nothing has really changed as far as our football goes. Well, as far as our finishing goes because in my opinion, that’s the main issue. Take our chances and we’d have won the last few games more comfortably, Arteta could have used more substitutes and we’d be going into 2026 with more than a two point lead at the top.
As already said, Villa’s last fixture was at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea came out of the blocks with a purpose and Emery’s side struggled to cope. Palmer and Fernandez had good opportunities to score inside the first 20 minutes and a Pedro strike from close range was stopped by Martinez’s big head. Pedro did score to give Chelsea the lead but then Emery made changes on the hour mark. Sancho, Watkins and Onana and the game changed almost instantly. Chelsea were left to rue their missed chances.
Not for one minute am I out to praise Chelsea but we need to emulate their approach tonight. Get out of the blocks quickly and with intent. Give the home fans a reason to stay vocal for 95 minutes, an extra reason to party tomorrow night and a reason to believe this might be our season. Play without fear but with freedom and hope Mikel Arteta can do the same on the sidelines because I’m sure his anxiety and stress filters into the players. I don’t know why he cannot just sit down, be calm and show trust in his players.
As Adrian Clarke said, only five sides have faced more shots than Villa, Arsenal just need to make sure that tonight, they go in….
Catch up in the comments.
They must all go in blazing guns (cannons)! tonight. No excuses.
Absolutely Laura….
Sadly we are where we are , we could be further ahead but it’s two points and I suppose it’s better to have them than not. I posted yesterday that they will be depleted tonight but in reflection I think that Onana may well be a better player than Kamara and with McGinn will form a how to put it “”competitive “” midfield. So much will depend on Darren England’s performance because our old friend Gillett is our VAR .
In the end though it’s down to us whether we pick up the points . We need to be mentally cold and clinical , we don’t want to get into the trap of being all dragged forward and getting caught . What’s more should we narrowly ahead with 20 minutes to go , watch for the Emery changes and do not drop back and invite them on because that’s where Watkins and Rogers thrive.
Good morning Rico, spring just around the corner? Have you looked at the weather forecast this morning?? 😉
Emery is proving to be an astute tactician, he can change his formation to cope with different events on the pitch and does so knowing that his players are well versed in the altered requirements.
There’s no doubt that Villa will be a weakened side with absences due to Afcon, injuries and suspensions. Weakened they may be, but they will still be dangerous.
An early goal for us is essential, who the hell will score it is anyone’s guess.
Agree, keeping possession in their half is the way to stop them scoring. Speed, width and clinical finishing too.
Morning Cicero, it’s beautiful down south. I cut our grass yesterday. Things are already growing… 😜
Emery didn’t get his reputation from his time at Arsenal. He’s always been a good coach and tactician hasn’t he.. Certainly smarter than Arteta imo.