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Arsenal go into this game top of the league, and they will be desperate to avenge their embarrassing 3-1 opening day defeat to Aston Villa when they head to Villa Park on Monday night. After knocking out their fiercest rivals from the FA Cup last week, confidence couldn’t be much higher in the Arsenal camp at the moment. The news of Theo Walcott’s injury has of course dealt the squad a huge blow, but it will give others a chance to impress in his absence.
Kieran Gibbs, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Olivier Giroud could all return to the Arsenal squad for Monday nights game, with Chamberlain returning five months after he suffered his injury against the same team. Mesut Ozil could make his first start in a few weeks following a shoulder injury. Per Mertesacker and Wojciech Szczesny look set to return to the team after being rested against Spurs. Aaron Ramsey is close to fitness, but Arsene Wenger has admitted Monday’s fixture is probably one too soon for the Welshman.
Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny
Szczesny has silenced many doubters this season, and despite Lukasz Fabianski impressing in the FA Cup against Tottenham, Szczesny will almost certainly return between the sticks for the game against Villa. With nine clean sheets in 20 Premier League games this season and also conceding the least amount of goals, it is testament to Szczesny’s improvement this season. He’s also made the second most successful claims in the league (64).
Right-Back: Bacary Sagna
Sagna has been really impressive this season, but with just six months left on his contract, Arsenal need to sign him up quickly or risk him signing a pre-contract with a foreign club. Sagna has won an amazing 58 aerial duels this season, with a 63% success, for someone of his height this is a brilliant statistic and shows why he is so important to the side, not only at right-back, but at defending set-pieces.
Sagna’s impressive duels this season
Centre-Back: Per Mertesacker
Mertesacker has been a rock for Arsenal this season; his partnership with Koscielny will not be disturbed for this fixture. He was initially rested against Tottenham, but needed to come on for the injured Vermaelen at half time. He wins 72% of his aerial duels, which makes him a vital presence in Arsenal’s improved defence. He has picked up just one yellow card all season, a statistic that is testament to his fantastic discipline. Has a 92% pass accuracy which adds to his calming presence.
Centre-Back: Laurent Koscielny
Koscielny compliments Mertesacker so well, and it’s this partnership which has meant the talented Thomas Vermaelen has struggled for game time all season. With 48 interceptions, only two Premier League defenders have managed more than him this season, this shows his brilliant ability to read the game. He’s also made 116 clearances, more than any other Arsenal player. Also has an impressive 92% pass accuracy, which helps set the tone for Arsenal’s style from the back.
Left-Back: Nacho Monreal
Gibbs is almost fit again and Monreal has done a brilliant job whilst covering for the Englishman. Gibbs, though, has also had a fantastic season. Arsenal surely have the best left backs in the league. Monreal will be looking to give Arsene Wenger no reason to drop him ahead of Gibbs’ imminent return. Has made five key passes this season, despite being a bit part player. He is very good in the tackle, winning 63% of all tackles, more than any other Arsenal defender. Winning 56% of his aerial duels, Monreal shows that as well as getting forward well, he is defensively sound.
Central-Midfield: Mikel Arteta
He seems well and truly ahead of Mathieu Flamini in the pecking order for that holding role now. Arteta is more technically sound as a footballer, and whilst Flamini adds a sometimes necessary aggressive touch, the class of Arteta is hard to bench. With a 92% pass accuracy, Arteta shows he is a brilliant passer of the ball, and perfect for that position. There are concerns about his defensive ability in that position, though, winning just 40% of his tackles.
Central-Midfield: Jack Wilshere
Wilshere’s best position is still a mystery, but in Ramsey’s absence alongside Arteta he has performed well recently. With the Welshman almost ready for a return, Wilshere will have to step up his performances and be more consistent in order to keep his place in the Arsenal eleven. As well as bags of creative talent, Wilshere wins 59% of his tackles, showing he is perhaps more suited to a deeper role in the midfield. He’s created 24 chances, but his 85% pass accuracy is less than most of his teammates in the same position.
Attacking-Midfield: Mesut Ozil
After a shoulder injury kept him out for a few weeks, Ozil looks set to return to the team on Monday. His class in the number ten role is hard to match, and his return, along with other key players will be a welcome boost for the Gunners. Despite only playing in 15 of the 20 Premier League games this season, Ozil has managed 45 key passes, the third most in the league. He also has the most assists in the league with seven. As well as these impressive penetrative statistics, Ozil’s 88% pass accuracy shows he is safe in possession.
Right-Wing: Serge Gnabry
Gnabry was arguably Man of the Match in Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Tottenham last week, and in Theo Walcott’s absence, the young German has a great chance to make the right wing spot his own. With Oxlade-Chamberlain set to return from injury and the transfer window still open, Gnabry will have to be on his toes to keep his place in the starting eleven. Gnabry has been a match winner even as a teenager, against Swansea and Crystal Palace memorably. He will give the Arsenal side some width, and has shown his work rate to help defend, making five tackles with a 50% success rate this season, very respectable for a winger who has only featured in five games.
Left-Wing: Santi Cazorla
Cazorla will be disappointed with his individual performances at times this season, but against Tottenham he showed what he is capable of. Not only did he score the opening goal, Cazorla was influential throughout. Has only featured in 14 Premier League games, but has completed 20 take ons, He has also managed 25 key passes, with only two of these becoming assists. Santi will hope he can improve on his goal tally which stands at just one, in the Premier League.
Striker: Olivier Giroud
Giroud has been injured for a few weeks and Arsenal have clearly struggled in his absence. With Lukas Podolski failing to impress up front and Bendtner out injured, Giroud’s return could not have been better timed, and the Frenchman will hope we can re-capture some of his early season form on his return. Giroud has scored eight league goals; he will want to improve on that tally, with 20 league goals a good target for a forward of his ilk. Winning 80 aerial duels with a 51% success this season, Giroud’s strengths are obvious. He will be a welcome return to the starting eleven, if of course, he is fit enough to start.
