Arsenal host Aston Villa in the final game of the Premier League prior to the international break. The Gunners head into the game on the back of a league win versus Manchester United, 1-0.
Mikel Arteta’s team have been very inconsistent this season. They have won just twice in their last five games with three of those matches ending in losses.
Arsenal sit in ninth place and on 12 points from 21 possible. Sunday’s opponents Aston Villa are also on 12 points but have played one fewer game than the Gunners. Aston Villa sit in 11th place thanks to a better goal difference than Arsenal.
After a strong start, Dean Smith’s team have lost back-to-back games, losing to Leeds United and Southampton. Last weekend’s 4-3 loss at Southampton was a thriller as Aston Villa nearly overturned a 4-1 deficit in the final 10 minutes.
Last season, Arsenal claimed a come from behind 3-2 win against Aston Villa at the Emirates. However, their visit to Villa Park later in the campaign ended in a 1-0 loss to the Villains.
Arteta has four players suffering from injuries heading into the game. Only one of those injuries is a new, short-term issue. Reiss Nelson is the new injury problem and a doubt for the game due to a knee issue.
Long-term injured players Calum Chambers, Pablo Mari, and Gabriel Martinelli are all three ruled out. Mari could finally return after the international break while Chambers has December marked as his return.
Smith still has Wesley and Tom Heaton on his long-term injured list. Heaton is back in training and is undergoing sessions to return him to full match fitness. Wesley won’t return until January. Kortney Hause is a doubt for the match and Bertrand Traore is ruled out of the game.
Arsenal have taken six points from nine possible at home. Their last home match against Leicester City ended in a 1-0 loss. Aston Villa have been brilliant on the road. They took six points from six possible against Fulham and Leicester City.
Aston Villa have posted a +4-goal difference on the road outscoring opponents 4-0. Can they post a win to nil against Arsenal and continue their away record?
Last season, Aston Villa won their match at Villa Park 1-0 against Arsenal. The Villains have previous winning against Arsenal to nil and could do it again this weekend. Expect a low-scoring game as Aston Villa win to nil in a famous victory at the Emirates.
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