Time: 4:30pm
Stadium Emirate Stadium
Referee
Goal Scorer:
Team News
Arsenal
Arsenal welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates Stadium in a Premier League fixture on 22nd September
The Gunners come into the game on the back of a topsy-turvy week which has seen them throw away a two-goal lead at Vicarage Road and notch up a 3-0 victory away to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League.
The North London outfit’s patchy form has meant that they’ve been able to accumulate only eight points from their opening five matches, scoring eight goals. However, rather alarmingly, the Gunners have shipped in as many in those encounters, thereby highlighting that their much-documented defensive deficiencies still exist.
Yet, on the back of a clean sheet in Europe, Arsenal would hope to shut out Villa on Sunday, especially considering their superior home record and the latter’s scrappy start to the season.
The Gabonese striker has started from where he left off last season and has already scored 5 times in as many games.
Moreover, Aubameyang's importance to the side has increased substantially after Alexandre Lacazette’s injury. However, the Gabonese seems to have shouldered the additional responsibility with aplomb, thriving playing through the middle as opposed to the flanks.
Thus, with a creaky Villan defensive boat lying in wait, one fancies Aubameyang to add to his goal tally, come Sunday.
Form Guide (Most recent first)
Arsenal: W-D-D-L-W
Aston Villa
Dean Smith’s side have given a good account of themselves so far this term but unfortunately, haven’t been able to string together the requisite positive results.
Villa’s last visit to North London came on the opening day of the campaign, where they lost 3-1 to Tottenham, despite enjoying a one-goal cushion for a decent chunk of the game.
Additionally, the Villans drew their previous game against West Ham, a result which kept Smith’s men just above the relegation zone. That is far from impressive, more so because of the enormous spending spree they indulged in over the summer.
Hence, the match on Sunday has plenty riding on it, an encounter made even more interesting considering the off-season optimism has started to dwindle at both clubs, hinting at a touch of impatience and restlessness.
With such proportions involved, the narrative, in all likelihood, would traverse quite a fascinating path.
Form Guide (Most recent first)
Aston Villa: D-L-W-W-L
Head to Head Record
Total Matches Played: 193 matches
Arsenal: 82 wins
Aston Villa: 66 wins
Draw: 45 draws
Prediction: Arsenal 2:0 Aston Villa
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