Arsenal vs Aston Villa Preview and lineups

Arsene Wenger

It has been precisely 90 days since the final whistle was blown on a cloudy day at St. James Park, back in May. Arsenal had just won 1-0 and were celebrating St. Totteringham’s day, like they had won the title.

Ever since the final whistle blew that day, I have been waiting for the new season to start. And by god’s grace, it is finally here. The long arduous torturous wait is finally over, and we are nearing kick-off.

Arsenal have had a tough time in the transfer market so far, missing out on players such as Gonzalo Higuain, Luis Suarez and Luiz Gustavo. The only player the Gunners have managed to sign so far has been young French U-21 striker Yaya Sanogo from Auxerre.

However, the club has culled on unecessary spending and has managed to release several players who were eating a fat part of the budget, including Andrey Arshavin, Sebastien Squillaci, Denilson, Gervinho, Marrouane Chamakh etc. The Gunners are expected to offload Park Chu Young and Niklas Bendtner as well before the transfer window shuts completely.

Despite the lack of transfer activity, Arsene Wenger has urged the Arsenal supporters to remain calm and get behind the team, promising some transfer activity between now and the end of the season.

We are active,We are in a situation like Manchester United, like Chelsea, where everybody expects signings and at the moment not a lot has happened.There are 18 days to go, so that is a long time in the transfer market and we will be active.I cannot certify what the number [of players coming in will be] but we will be active until the end, that is for sure.

He also reiterated the fact that he is not reluctant to spend and that the media was being unfair to him.

Of course that’s unfair,Why should I resist? I just defend the idea that you spend the money you have and not the money you don’t have.Why should I resist? I just defend the idea that you spend the money you have and not the money you don’t have.Of course I am excited by that prospect but what I want to convince you of is that we are ready to spend the money if we feel that the players makes us a better team tomorrow morning.Maybe it’s difficult to balance that in a newspaper but football is not only about that.
It’s bigger than that. It’s about the team, the quality of the play, the spirit and togetherness and the quality of the players. Therefore we have to focus on all the rest as well.What happened for years was the quality of our work has been taken away from us because the best players left for financial reasons,For the first time this year that has not happened and I don’t think it will happen again for financial reasons.We have made the first step. The next step is to strengthen the squad and the team by buying the right players.
Olivier Giroud

Arsenal have had a strong pre-season, winning 5 out of 7 friendlies, including a 3-1 win over a strong Manchester City squad in Finland. Olivier Giroud seems to be in good goal scoring nick, scoring 8 times, while Walcott netted 4 times.

Aston Villa, on the other hand, have undergone a rebuilding process, after a topsy turvy first season under manager Paul Lambert. Jean Makoun, Richard Dunne and Brett Holman left the Villains, while they have signed Jores Okore (Nordsjaelland), Aleksandar Tonev (Lech Poznan), Antonio Luna (Sevilla), Nicklas Helenius (AaB) and Leandro Bacuna (Groningen), adding depth to their squad.

However, the best bit of business Villa have managed to do this summer has been to hold on to star Belgian international striker Cristian Benteke, who at one stage seemed set to leave. Benteke scored 19 Premier League goals in his debut season, drawing attention from top clubs in the country.

On to some team news then. Arsenal are suffering from a spate of injuries, that has reduced the squad to the mere surface. In defence, captain Thomas Vermaelen is out for about 5 weeks, while Nacho Monreal is out for a further 10 days. Bacary Sagna is also a doubt to start the game. Mikel Arteta suffered an injury in training and is out for 4-6 weeks, while Santi Cazorla could be rested after just returning from Ecuador after an international friendly.

Abou Diaby is perenially injured. Ryo Miyaichi is a week away from full fitness. Aaron Ramsey is also a doubt, having missed training on two days and having pulled out of the Welsh squad. Theo Walcott is also not 100% having hobbled off after England’s 3-2 win over Scotland at Wembley.

Aston Villa have only Charles N’Zogbia out of action.

Here is how I expect the two teams to line up.

Aston Villa have a completely new squad, and Arsenal should look to score the early goal and put pressure on Villa. With Cazorla being rested, I would like to see Rosicky start and provide some early running through the channels. Arsenal have plenty of pace, and should fully utilize it.

However, the Villa attack, comprising Agbonlahor and Benteke can be a handful for any defence, and Mertesacker and Koscielny have their work cut out.