Arsenal V Aston Villa
Aug 17, 2013 at 3pm (UK)
Emirates
Finally the season is upon us! Arsenal kick off things at the Emirates today when they host Aston Villa. Arsenal who finished 4th at the very end of last season, assured their fans for big name signings with a reported £70 million transfer kitty. However, after almost two months into the transfer window the Gunners have so far landed Yaya Sanogo in a free transfer. Oh yeah, a free transfer and a French kid to say the least.
With a plethora of players linked yet again, the summer looked promising as they even made bids in the range £40m for Liverpool ace Luis Suarez, but despite all their efforts Wenger and his men are without a proper starting XI when the EPL curtain rises today. The Gunners have released/sold 17 players including dead woods like Arshavin, Santos and Djourou and are still hoping to do some business before the window closes.
And stats do not go in favour of the Gunners as well, as they have failed to secure a win in the opening day of the season since their 6-1 win over Everton back in 2009.
Meanwhile Aston Villa, who finished 15th last season have retained their manager Paul Lambert but have to endure a tough start to the campaign as they face Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool in the opening 8 days of the season, and will be hoping to salvage atleast a point at Emirates.
Injury News:
As mentioned before, Arsenal have very much a depleted squad. Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta is out with a thigh injury and it is reported that he may miss upto 6 weeks. While there were concerns about Walcott and Cazorla, the duo is expected to start and so is Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey who missed the midweek international against the Republic of Ireland because of an ankle injury. Other long term injuries include Nacho Monreal, Abou Diaby and Thomas Vermaelen.
Boosted by Christian Benteke’s decision to stay at Villa park, manager Paul Lambert does not have many injury woes. However he will miss out on midfielder Yacouba Sylla and Chris Herd. New signings Jores Okore, Antonio Luna and Aleksandar Tonev could all be thrown into Lambert’s side, who narrowly escaped relegation to the Championship last season.
Possible lineups
Arsenal: Szczesny; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Walcott, Ramsey, Cazorla, Wilshere, Podolski; Giroud
Aston Villa: Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Okore, Luna; Tonev, Westwood, Delph, Agbonlahor; Weimann, Benteke
Match Facts:
- Arsenal have lost only one of their last nine Barclays Premier League meetings with Aston Villa (W5 D3).
- Aston Villa won one more point (21) away from home than they did at home (20) in the 2012-13 Barclays Premier League.
- Villa have won just two of their last 19 trips to London to face Arsenal, but both of these have come since the Gunners moved to the Emirates Stadium.
- Indeed only Chelsea (three) have won more away Premier League games at the Emirates than Aston Villa (two). Villa have won just one point from their last seven Premier League away trips to London.
- Arsenal have not lost any of their last 12 opening Premier League games (W8 D4), though they have drawn their last three.
- Darren Bent has scored six goals in his last eight Premier League games against Arsenal and has scored three in three at the Emirates.
- The Emirates Stadium saw more goals than any other stadium in the Premier League last season (70).
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa