Arsenal vs Aston Villa Premier League preview: Is this Mikel Arteta’s final chance at success as Dean Smith’s men head to the Emirates on Friday? (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
From Monday to Friday. What have the fixture overlords got in store for us now? Fresh off the back of one Premier League outing, Arsenal are thrust into the limelight once more as they face Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium. Here is the preview.
The chance to sneak into the top four undetected by the rest of the division has already been tossed away. Had Arsenal have beaten Crystal Palace on Monday and followed suit against Dean Smith’s side, that’s what they would have got.
Stating such eventualities is like some dangerous and unwelcome foreshadowing. If Arsenal beat ‘X’ then they’ll move into ‘Y’. It always ends badly.
Patrick Vieira’s return to Arsenal did not end badly as Alexandre Lacazette stole a point at the death to spark some wild celebrations, the like that slowly calmed as the reality of the situation sunk in. That being that it was a point at home against the side in 14th.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa Premier League preview: Is this Mikel Arteta’s final chance at success as Dean Smith’s men head to the Emirates on Friday?
Oh, and Arsenal were awful.
Arsene Wenger always used to favour an immediate response to setbacks by playing the next game as soon as possible, which is precisely what Mikel Arteta has on his hands with just four days separating the visit of Aston Villa.
There may have been a few more reassured faces heading into this one were Monday less atrocious, but alas, it’s 12th against 13th with two sides who’ve both conceded 12 goals apiece this season. 0-0 bore draw incoming?
PTSD will kick in for this one as fans haven’t quickly forgotten the annihilation that Villa inflicted on Arsenal in that 3-0 drubbing last season, where an ever interchanging front line ran riot. The return fixture was more one-sided, but Arsenal still lost that one too.
One thing is for sure, if there is to be any hope of securing three points on Friday – which is the minimum requirement – a repeat performance from the Palace game won’t bring it. If that is the average Arsenal display this season then so too is a mid-table finish.
Arteta’s time is running out. He may be in the board’s good books, but the paying supporters who are seeing little evidence of improvement will be vocal soon enough.
What Arsenal are producing under this manager is light years away from being acceptable. Friday may be the last straw for many, if the camel’s back hasn’t already broken.
How to Watch on TV
When Is Kick Off? Monday 22 October
What Time Is Kick Off? 20:00 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Emirates Stadium
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports (UK) fuboTV (USA)
Referee? Craig Pawson
Continued on next page…
October 19, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
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<h2>Arsenal vs Aston Villa Premier League preview: Is this Mikel Arteta’s final chance at success as Dean Smith’s men head to the Emirates on Friday?</h2>
<p>Oh, and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/20/arsenal-aston-villa-preview-arteta-job/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/19/arsenal-art-stupid-pass-arteta/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arsenal were awful</a>.</p>
<p>Arsene Wenger always used to favour an immediate response to setbacks by playing the next game as soon as possible, which is precisely what Mikel Arteta has on his hands with just four days separating the visit of Aston Villa.</p>
<p>There may have been a few more reassured faces heading into this one were Monday less atrocious, but alas, it’s 12th against 13th with two sides who’ve both conceded 12 goals apiece this season. 0-0 bore draw incoming?</p>
<p>PTSD will kick in for this one as fans haven’t quickly forgotten the annihilation that Villa inflicted on Arsenal in that 3-0 drubbing last season, where an ever interchanging front line ran riot. The return fixture was more one-sided, but Arsenal still lost that one too.</p>
<p>One thing is for sure, if there is to be any hope of securing three points on Friday – which is the minimum requirement – <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/20/arsenal-aston-villa-preview-arteta-job/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/19/massive-arsenal-conundrum-arteta/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a repeat performance from the Palace game</a> won’t bring it. If that is the average Arsenal display this season then so too is a mid-table finish.</p>
<p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/20/arsenal-aston-villa-preview-arteta-job/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/19/arsenal-4-tactical-mistakes-arteta-cpfc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arteta’s time is running out</a>. He may be in the board’s good books, but the paying supporters who are seeing little evidence of improvement will be vocal soon enough.</p>
<p>What Arsenal are producing under this manager is light years away from being acceptable. Friday may be the last straw for many, if the camel’s back hasn’t already broken.</p>
<h2>How to Watch on TV</h2>
<p><strong>When Is Kick Off?</strong> Monday 22 October<br>
<strong>What Time Is Kick Off? </strong>20:00 (GMT)<br>
<strong>Where Is it Played?</strong> Emirates Stadium<br>
<strong>TV Channel/Live Stream?</strong> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/20/arsenal-aston-villa-preview-arteta-job/"https://www.skysports.com/get-sky" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sky Sports</a> (UK) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/20/arsenal-aston-villa-preview-arteta-job/"https://www.fubo.tv/stream/soccer/?irad=409363&irmp=374356&subID1=FS-LiveDrops%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">fuboTV</a> (USA)<br>
<strong>Referee?</strong> Craig Pawson</p>
<p><em>Continued on next page…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/20/arsenal-aston-villa-preview-arteta-job/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Arsenal vs Aston Villa team news </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-120144" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/20/arsenal-aston-villa-preview-arteta-job/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1347325032-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Saka" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 18: Aaron Ramsdale and Nicolas Pepe hold back Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal after a foul on Bukayo Saka during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on October 18, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Arsenal Team News vs Aston Villa – Will Bukayo Saka Be Fit?</h2>
<p>Nobody is excusing the performance on Monday, but <em>holy hell </em>how did James McArthur escape a red card for his brutal, and clearly intended, assault on Bukayo Saka?</p>
<p>The man scythed him down deliberately. There is no argument to make that he couldn’t see Saka, especially since it came moments after the 20-year-old had just fouled him.</p>
<p>That’s water under the bridge now but the impact of that kick was hard enough that it forced Arteta to take the forward off at half-time of the 2-2 draw. You’d like to think it was just a sore one and he’ll carry on, though.</p>
<p>Gabriel Martinelli featured late on as he allayed fears over picking up a minor knock, with the only remaining absentee being Granit Xhaka with his long-term knee problem.</p>
<p>There may have been a few knocks, which will become knowledge later on.</p>
<p>As for opposing manager Smith, he withdrew Douglas Luiz, Matty Cash and Emiliano Buendia in their 3-2 loss with Wolves, citing all three as dealing with ‘tiredness’. The trio are expected to return on Friday.</p>
<p>It’s unlikely that Bertrand Troare will, but Leon Bailey and Morgan Sanson are both battling to make the team. Trezeguet is the definite absentee with a long-term knee injury, while Keinan Davis will also miss out.</p>
<p><em>Continued on next page…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/20/arsenal-aston-villa-preview-arteta-job/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Predicted lineups & score prediction </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-120097" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/20/arsenal-aston-villa-preview-arteta-job/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1347334274-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, MA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 18: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on October 18, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Arsenal Predicted Starting Lineup to Face Aston Villa – Back to 4-2-3-1?</h2>
<p><strong>Arsenal:</strong> Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Sambi, Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Aubameyang</p>
<p><strong>Aston Villa:</strong> Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; McGinn, Nakamba, Douglas Luiz; Buendia, Ings, Watkins.</p>
<h2>Arsenal vs Aston Villa Score Prediction</h2>
<p>It is growing increasingly difficult to even fake hope at this stage. In the search for progression and improvement, while it’s existed in spits and spats, it isn’t happening soon enough for fans to envisage this season being anything other than more of the same.</p>
<p>How long has Arteta had this full complement of new arrivals available to him? Long enough for there to be signs of gelling and an understanding of the gameplan. Yet what was on display against Crystal Palace was a new set of players doing all the same things Arteta had his previous teams doing.</p>
<p>The same glaring issues in the speed of build up and propensity for going wide were as they were. Even with hundreds of millions of pounds worth of talent, Arsenal were limp and outgunned.</p>
<p>Villa will be a tough <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/20/arsenal-aston-villa-preview-arteta-job/"https://www.90min.com/leagues/premier-league" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Premier League</a> fixture. Make no bones about it. The Villans may be below Arsenal in the table but they’ve been unfortunate on many occasions this season where their performances have warranted more than they’ve earned.</p>
<p>Investing their Jack Grealish money in three new forwards, there is variety to their play and they can attack from all different angles. Emi Buendia will be on the turf many supporters hoped he’d be calling home and Ollie Watkins will want a repeat of the crimes he committed on Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin last season.</p>
<p>Do they have any weaknesses? This season it’s undoubtedly their defence: Tyrone Mings struggles positionally and set pieces have looked all over the shop. Fortunately for them Arsenal couldn’t score from a corner if the other team was sat in the dressing room.</p>
<p>Arsenal have to improve <em>drastically</em>, which includes vastly better individual performances. It just seems like a bridge too far at this point.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="4 tactical mistakes Arteta made vs Palace" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/19/arsenal-4-tactical-mistakes-arteta-cpfc/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/20/arsenal-aston-villa-preview-arteta-job/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/10/19/arsenal-4-tactical-mistakes-arteta-cpfc/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 4 tactical mistakes Arteta made vs Palace </a> </div>
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<h2>Score Prediction: Arsenal 1-3 Aston Villa</h2><!—pageview_candidate—>">
