Raya the Difference as Arsenal Secure Three Points
There is no other place to start than that world-class, potential save of the season. David Raya, take a bow son you earned your bacon. When I saw Minteh curl that ball toward the far right corner, I was all but sure it had gone in, but Raya made me feel like I needed glasses to see properly. How he did that is anyone’s guess. He secured Arsenal’s three points gbam.
So why did I say managed? Because Arsenal failed to kill off the game despite being dominant. The Gunners should have been out of sight in the first half, much like against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup. Brighton came out with more purpose in the second half, gave the game a go, and were rewarded with a goal out of nowhere. Suddenly, things became nervy at the Emirates. This is where Martin Ødegaard showed his value. His leadership of the press from the front didn’t allow Arsenal to sit deep for long, helping avoid the mistakes seen against Sunderland and Villa, this is very key. The substitutions also helped Arsenal wrestle control back from Brighton. Big Gabby came on for Myles, with Hincapié shifting to left back. Declan Rice was immense at right back, though hopefully he returns to his natural midfield role when Timber is available for the Villa game.
The naysayers will say own goals and marginal wins aren’t sustainable. The glass-half-full crowd will say this is the stuff of champions — Arsenal bettered last season’s result and held their nerve. Take your pick. I’m somewhere in the middle. Yes, Arsenal saw out the win, but they can help themselves by converting more of the chances they create. 9XG across four games, yet only one open-play goal is not good enough. Simple as that… or maybe not. To more positives though, Bukayo Saka’s assist for Captain Ødegaard brings his Arsenal Premier League assist tally to 47 (48) if Martinelli had kept his shot down), placing him fifth all-time behind Özil (54), Fàbregas (70), Henry (74), and Bergkamp (94). Anyone betting against Saka breaking into the top three over the next few years? Fingers crossed.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa – Top-of-the-Table Clash Looms
Attention now turns to a much-talked-about top-of-the-table Premier League clash as Arsenal face Aston Villa. It still sounds crazy saying that, but such has been the form of Unai Emery’s side. Villa arrive as the most in-form team in the #EPL, riding an 11-game winning run across all competitions. Villa’s comeback win against Chelsea over the weekend told us plenty. Chelsea were the better team for large spells but lacked the killer instinct — something Arsenal themselves are still searching for. Football can be cruel. Credit to Unai Emery though; his substitutions paid off, with Ollie Watkins coming on to turn the game around.
Aston Villa may look near imperious, but they are not unbeatable. I expect Arsenal to be more clinical and defensively solid than Chelsea, and Emery will know that too. Historically, Emery has had the edge over Arteta, who has beaten him just twice in the last four seasons. That deficit needs repaying big time. Add the scars: Villa’s 0–2 win at the Emirates two seasons ago that derailed Arsenal’s title charge, Emery knocking the Gunners out of the Europa League, and that late Buendía winner just two weeks ago. It’s time to whiplash someone — and Gyökeres needs a brace or two.
This Arsenal vs Aston Villa match is primed for the critics to come out with daggers and knives, so boiz, everyone needs to step up. If the Gunners stay defensively resolute, tactically astute with our early season type press, and clinical in attack, they can blow Villa out of the water. Villa were passive for long spells against Chelsea but still found a way — that’s been their story so far… until now (touch wood). My team selection from would look like this, with a tilt toward aggression and physicality.
 |
| #ARSAVL |
team selection from me would look like this—
