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Nicolas Pepe converting his penalty against Aston Villa at the Grove, September 22, 2019 
©Michael Steele / Getty Images

The relentless cycle of Thursday/Sunday matches continues this Sunday evening as Arsenal host Aston Villa, a club that has made strides toward solidifying their Premier League status after they were almost relegated in July.  Coming into this game Villa are eighth in the table having played one fewer match than the ninth-placed Gunners, who trail them on goal difference.  The Birmingham side have scored 15 goals and conceded nine, nosing them ahead of Arsenal who have scored nine but boast a league low of seven goals conceded.

Arsenal approach the match looking to build on last week’s victory at Manchester United.  After four wins and three losses in their first seven league games, including a disappointing loss to Leicester in their last home fixture that featured Lacazette’s undeservedly disallowed first half goal, Arsenal need to grab the points from Villa to push the club into a more distinctly upward trajectory ahead of next week’s tough away fixture at Wolves, to be followed a week later by the season’s first North London Derby.  In other words, this match would be a good time to sharpen up whatever needs sharpening.

Opposition

Villa epitomise the craziness of this young Premier League season.  To say they have ridden a roller coaster would just about cover it.  They got off to a very fast start, winning their first four games including clean sheets against Sheffield United, Fulham and Leicester and a 7-2 drubbing of Liverpool; but their performances tailed off in the last two weeks in losses to Leeds and Southampton.  After using up a month’s worth of goals against Liverpool, Villa failed to score against Leeds and last week trailed 0-4 to Southampton before fighting back with three late goals only to lose by 3-4.  They have scaled the heights and sunk to the depths so it is a bit of a mystery which direction they may be headed this week, but at times they have looked like one of the better clubs in the league, so Mikel Arteta and his men had best pay close attention. The Villans made several significant acquisitions in the offseason.  The three highest impact signings have been ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who has kept three clean sheets and helped calmed the defence; ex-Nottingham Forest right-back Matty Cash who has started six games, and added mobility and another attacking option on that side; and ex-Brentford striker Ollie Watkins, a danger man who has contributed four goals and one assist in six outings.    

Arsenal XI

Arsenal are on a decent run of results, especially considering their undefeated record in Carabao Cup and Europa League games, but having lost three of seven league matches already they really need a result this week.  There are very few reasons not to expect Mikel Arteta to pick the same team that did the business last Sunday but I have a feeling he might start Pepe in place of Willian, who otherwise would be making his third start in seven days.  Arteta’s formation may be otherwise at the start, and it may change several times during the game, but here’s one way we could line up:

Leno

Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney

Elneny, Partey, Saka

Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang

Goonerholics Pound

Seeing as the Villans are among the most prolific scoring clubs in the Premier League at the moment, it could be a stretch to predict another clean sheet despite Arsenal’s league best defensive record.  But a 2-1 score strikes me as a reasonable forecast considering the close proximity of the sides in the table, and 19/2 were the best odds I spotted for that score.  The best odds I found on Pierre Emerick Aubameyang to be the first scorer were 3/1, but (assuming he plays), Nicolas Pepe could be a decent punt at 7/1 if you are looking for more lucrative payoff potential.  Not that I put my own money on those or any other unsure bets, of course.

Enjoy the game wherever you are watching, ‘holics.  If Arsenal can score a couple of early goals it would be healthful not to have to watch from behind the sofa, so Come on You Gunners, we could use a sustained 90-minute performance to remember.  

154 Drinks to “Heroes to Vanquish Villainous Villa”

  1. 1
    North Bank Ned says:

    Spot on bt8. This is another six-pointer.

  2. 2
    North Bank Ned says:

    Sunday lunchtime? Don’t you do brunch in the Great Lakes? 🙂

  3. 3
    TTG says:

    Appetising preview Bt8 and a very good analysis of Villa. Last season in the game shown in your picture we trailed twice , had a man sent off ( AMN I believe) and won it with a late free-kick from Aubameyang. We will hopefully be tighter at the back tomorrow.
    I think we will play three at the back and Willian will edge out Pepe but otherwise the personnel you’ve named are the ones I think will appear .
    I think it will be a difficult game but I’m hoping for a 2-0 victory .

  4. 4
    bt8 says:

    Thanks for spotting it Ned. Lunchtime my time that should have said, but it’s a Sunday evening kickoff. 🙂

  5. 5
    Bathgooner says:

    An excellent preview bt8 apart from the time zone glitch – it’s a 7.15pm kick off UK time! A bit quiet in the bar tonight – maybe it’s due to the local lockdown rules? Or is everyone still partying in the streets?

    I think you may have successfully predicted the team MA8 will start which may be a first for our recent previews. Despite Villa’s fearsome start, I hope you are being too conservative with your predicted scoreline. I want to see us control another game with our newly assertive, forward-looking midfield and I want our forwards to take the chances we create instead of spurning those we created in the first halves against Leicester and against Manure. So, despite my innate tendency towards pessimism, I am predicting a 4-0 win with a Thomas Partey rocket the pick of the goals.

    COYG

  6. 6
    Steve T says:

    Cheers BT8.

    I must say, I think this should be a game we should be more than confident of winning. With the greatest respect to Villa, if we have genuine aspirations to finish in the top 4 then we need to pick up 3 points in a game like this.

    I think that, if fit, Luiz plays. He adds leadership and stability at the back. He is also one of the most creative players we have. I also would not be disappointed to see Pepe left out and room found for Willock somewhere.

    3-0 to the mighty reds. 2 OGs from Martinez.

    😉

  7. 7
    North Bank Ned says:

    I think you are right about David Luiz starting, Steve T. That would also give us two CBs who can hit long balls over the top to a galloping Auba or Pepe.

  8. 8
    Doctor Faustus says:

    Great preview bt8!

    I like the look of your starting line-up, but Mikel may choose a few variants. If we line up as 4-3-3 we might see Willian (who, in my humble opinion has been rather underwhelming, Pepe at least scores and gives you assists even though he doesn’t play consistently throughout the match) start up in place of Pepe. Or even Auba down the middle (with his good friend sitting this one out and brought in later if needed) and flanked by Saka and Willian/Pepe. Will Luiz partner Gabriel in a 4-3-3 as Steve and Ned suggested? Maybe, or maybe we will play 3-4-3 as Villa likes to attack and we will unleash our counter-attacking threats where Luiz will play a key part.

    Some expansive football and an enjoyable 3-1 win are my predictions.

  9. 9
    Uplympian says:

    Thanks bt8 for another fine preview.
    Although we should never underestimate any team in the premier division, Villa have shown themselves to be somewhat vulnerable at the back, even with the mighty Emi Martinez protecting their goal. Like other venerable drinkers proceeding me, I think David Luiz will start – whether this is in a flat back line of 4 or the alternative 3 CBs with 2 wings backs pushing up.
    I would love to see Joe Willock given a starting opportunity but not at the expense of Thomas or Elneny. We could play without any designated wide men with the attacking Hector & Kieran fulfilling this task ( multi tasking ) with Joe & Thomas pushing down the middle.
    Here’s hoping for a solid performance all round from the team with a 3-1 victory for the home team.

  10. 10
    North Bank Ned says:

    Dr F@8, Dean Smith likes to play 4-2-3-1 against stronger opponents,. I suspect he will line up Villa that way rather than 4-3-3, which seems reserved for weaker ones. I would guess Arteta’s counter would be to match or go 4-3-3 rather and not play a back three as that would give more bodies in midfield to neutralise Grealish in particular. I did wonder if AMN would be deployed to man-mark Grealish.

  11. 11
    Doctor Faustus says:

    Ned, a 4-3-3 with AMN as a floating inside midfielder on the right sounds interesting. That might also mean Auba in the middle and Saka pushed up on the left?

  12. 12
    Osakamatt says:

    Fine preview bt8👍

    Villa have had a decent start
    but still ship plenty of goals
    so I think I will go for a 4-2
    today with our strikers pulling
    their scoring boots back on.

  13. 13
    ksn says:

    Thanks for a fine preview of the game against Villa, Bt8. I would be happy if we got one early goal, let alone the couple you hope for.
    I wouldn’t mind if Willock got into the starting eleven. He would bring in some physicality and directness to our attack. Not sure how this one will go though I hope for a happier ending than against Leicester.

  14. 14
    TTG says:

    If we are to include the enterprising young Willock it would have to be in a wide role with Aubameyang moved to the centre upfront . Today we need the Elneny / Partey axis as Grealish is a superb player and has the potential to hurt us and we need Saka or AMN in the wing back role to provide penetration on the left

  15. 15
    Gunnersaurus Stunt Double says:

    Cheers bt8. Succinct preview that sets the game up nicely.

    I reckon 3-0. Maybe 2-0 if Emi has a blinder. Although whatever plays out we need the three points. I think we will see a bit more attacking cohesion, even if we won’t suddenly be a team transformed. And I think Auba will fancy bagging a couple to up his personal numbers. If all of that comes together then hopefully Baff’s 4-0 comes home.

  16. 16
    BtM says:

    That’s a fine and very informative preview, bt8. When I read your predicted team my thoughts were that you had read MA8’s mind successfully. Having then read the drinks, several have cast some doubts in my mind but I’d still start your team. Luiz is in with a chance of starting but I don’t think either Willock or AMN are, they’re both on ice now until the red hot freezing qualifier in arctic Molde.

    Inability to bury an absolute barrowload of golden chances has cost the Arsenal early points, most noticeably again $iteh and Lesta (the latter coupled with the disallowed howler). Today is the day our trickle needs to turn into a flood. Every tide turns and I have a feeling we may see a minor tsunami today 🙂 Villa only have the second best keeper in the League, so no problems there.

    But, sadly, even if the Gunners do win today we’ll still be in the harbinger for twelfth place ‘four points’ off the top. Damn! If only we’d taken our chances and beaten Lesta, the gap would only have been one point, almost guaranteeing, well, eleventh at least 🙂

    COYG. Enjoy the game, Holics.

  17. 17
    BtM says:

    In other news, former Gunners’ strikers Theo and Danny were in action in their new, south coast berths. Theo looked to have his best game in years playing ‘through the middle’ as he always pleaded to do. Danny was as rusty as ever and couldn’t buy a goal. I must say it was good to see him back, apparently fully fit, he’s one of the good guys and you’ll never see him compete with Vardy, Kane or Son in the high dive stakes.

  18. 18
    BtM says:

    And finally, before I go out and read bt8’s preview to my hydrangeas, may I be so bold as to put in a request, Mikel?

    Take a very good look at Tariq Lamptey at Brighton. Try and do a swap deal in the summer in which you gift Cedric Shares and a reasonable amount of folding green stuff for his services. He’s a talent and will really push Hector for the RB berth. You shouldn’t have missed him in the past summer window.

  19. 19
    ksn says:

    Tariq Lamptey is a really exciting talent, BtM. I can’t understand how Chelsea let go of him. Getting him to Arsenal would be a really tough (and expensive) job as Brighton don’t sell easily and the whole footballing world now knows what a baller Lamptey is.

  20. 20
    BtM says:

    I suspect it has echoes of the much lamented departure of Emi Martinez, ksn. Both Lamptey and James wanted to be number one ahead of Aztiplacenta and Fwank chose James, (which right now looks like a good decision). Brighton may struggle to stay in the League. If that’s so, Lamptey will be up for grabs.

  21. 21
    bt8 says:

    Liverpool kicking Son. 👍🏼👍🏼

  22. 22
    bt8 says:

    Livermore kicking Son that is. It’s the first time I have watched Sp@@s since Bale is back but they are not particularly sharp so far with WBA holding them at halftime. Come on the Baggies.

  23. 23
    ksn says:

    Brighton are a decent team and are very well organised. Their problem is in scoring goals. They will struggle, BtM, but won’t get relegated, though I hope you turn out to be right. Lamptey would be a good addition to our squad.

  24. 24
    North Bank Ned says:

    BtM@18: Cedric Soares would cover shy of half the cost of Lamptey. Back of the envelope calculation is that we would still need another £10 million.

  25. 25
    North Bank Ned says:

    Would probably need to line up 4-1-4-1 to fit in Willock:
    Leno
    Bellerin, Holding/Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney
    Elneny,
    Willian/Pepe, Partey, Willock, Saka
    Aubameyang

  26. 26
    Osakamatt says:

    Annoying that spuds nicked that,
    I’ve questions to ask the WBA
    keeper.

    Wouldn’t mind Brighton getting
    relegated as I was heartily sick of
    them last season. Seems a fair
    punishment to me.

  27. 27
    Gunnersaurus Stunt Double says:

    Bugger. Spuds…

    I was gonna write a sentence there but actually I’ll just change some punctuation.

    Bugger Spuds.

  28. 28
    ksn says:

    Fucking cheat Vardy misses a penalty.Haha.

  29. 29
    BtM says:

    @24 Ned, Deal!

  30. 30
    Esso says:

    Cheers Bt8

  31. 31
    Bathgooner says:

    At least a win for the execrable Lesta against a strangely docile Wolves will ensure that the Cocks from the marshes won’t be sitting on top of anything other than their basketball over the forthcoming interlull.

  32. 32
  33. 33
    TTG says:

    You can see the cogs turning in the minds of some very dim people . One of those people is Kyle Walker . His challenge on Mane was the mark of an idiot

  34. 34
    Trev says:

    Nice one, bt8.

    We had some problems with Villa a few seasons back – starting with the draw on opening day of the then new Stadium at the Grove.

    If the team / squad can reproduce the determination and quality of last week’s trip to OT we should be ok but they are never to be taken lightly.

    3-1 to the Reds for me – just think Grealish is always likely to get or create one.

  35. 35
    Osakamatt says:

    @33
    Spot on TTG.
    I suppose a draw is best for us.
    Hmm penalty coming I think.
    Yes, consistent with the one in
    the Wolves game. Oh he missed
    it!

  36. 36
    bt8 says:

    Great goal by Gabriel Jesus, but did he intend to put the ball behind the defender like that with his first touch, or did he just get lucky? Very quick to the ball for the second touch, though. Reminded me of Eddie.

  37. 37
    Esso says:

    Fuck Villa hate the mouthy cunts. The Midland’s Chelsea. All mouth and trousers.

  38. 38
    Osakamatt says:

    My vote is he got lucky bt8

  39. 39
    Esso says:

    Arsenal: Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Elneny, Saka, Willian, Aubameyang, Lacazette.

    Subs: Runarsson, Maitland-Niles, Luiz, Xhaka, Ceballos, Pepe, Nketiah

  40. 40
    Esso says:

    If Willian dont perform today – thats enough thank you.

  41. 41
    Gunnersaurus Stunt Double says:

    We need three points or we start falling behind. I’d love us to turn on the style and give them a thumping. But I’d take a dodgy pen in injury time to give us a 1-0.

    Just win lads.

    UTA

  42. 42
    Osakamatt says:

    I think Luiz for Mus is the only
    change in the whole squad.
    Tough on Joe W but I can see
    why MA would want to keep
    faith with the squad who won
    at Old Toilet.

  43. 43
    BtM says:

    GoonerSince54’s predicted team starts. Clive knows 🙂

    Bt8 – you were within a smidgeon and Pepe might well have been a better choice on the right side. We’ll see quite soon.

  44. 44
    ksn says:

    So much for Joe Willock playing; he is not even on the bench. Happy with the team but Willian is really on test and he better succeed. I thing he will come ok after he has played a few more games with the team.

  45. 45
    Bathgooner says:

    COYG

  46. 46
    scruzgooner says:

    nicely done, behind the eight ball but gunning for glory 🙂

    i just want to see a full team performance and a victory. it’s cold and windy here today, and i don’t want to have to hide behind the couch to watch…too drafty.

  47. 47
    scruzgooner says:

    nice touch for remembrance day.

  48. 48
    Bathgooner says:

    FFS So much for 4-0. ! minute 20 seconds gone.

  49. 49
    ksn says:

    49 secs and we are behind. Shocker.

  50. 50
    scruzgooner says:

    sigh. puts blanket on floor behind couch.

  51. 51
    BtM says:

    Crackerjack Scottish strike 🙂

  52. 52
    ksn says:

    We are ok. It was offside. Phew.

  53. 53
    scruzgooner says:

    var to rule it out? that would be a shock.

  54. 54
    Bathgooner says:

    Oh, hang on!

    It’s all down to Martin Atkinson.

    And…

    he’s a very sensible fella.

    Much more obvious than the one they ruled out against Lesta.

  55. 55
    scruzgooner says:

    hopefully a wake up call.

  56. 56
    ksn says:

    The commentators are so disappointed the goal is disallowed.

  57. 57
    Bathgooner says:

    That Tierney grand mal seizure could have been costly.

  58. 58
    BtM says:

    Lesta goal disallowed. Villa goal disallowed.

    Only the first one was a gross error. 🙂

  59. 59
    scruzgooner says:

    grealish with a sly kick on holding.

  60. 60
    ksn says:

    This will be a tough game to watch unless we reallly get our game up.

  61. 61
    scruzgooner says:

    excellent pressure thomas!

  62. 62
    scruzgooner says:

    gotta do better, willian.

  63. 63
    BtM says:

    How the hell can Moyes get in when BathGooner can’t FFS!

  64. 64
    scruzgooner says:

    saka great work with kt3 down the right

  65. 65
    Bathgooner says:

    Come on Arsenal. We need an early goal here to open them up.

  66. 66
    scruzgooner says:

    why can’t we defend?

  67. 67
    Bathgooner says:

    Oh dear. Very poor defending.

  68. 68
    scruzgooner says:

    og, under pressure. ugh.

  69. 69
    Steve T says:

    That has to be some of the most embarrassing attempts at defending I have ever seen by anyone wearing an Arsenal shirt, ever.

  70. 70
    Esso says:

    This is fucking dismal.

  71. 71
    Bathgooner says:

    Chins up Gunners! Remember Pennsylvania!

  72. 72
    ksn says:

    Shit defending. Who waits for the opponent to get set just outside the penalty box.

  73. 73
    Esso says:

    Our defending is really not the problem. We are totally toothless as an attack.

  74. 74
    Esso says:

    Haha at Pennsylvania! Not.

  75. 75
    scruzgooner says:

    we also keep giving the ball away in midfield.

  76. 76
    ksn says:

    They look good attacking while we have been slow and predictable. We pass backward or sideways and just now belted the ball out of our half mindlessly.

  77. 77
    scruzgooner says:

    i hope we put on our shooting boots in the second half.

  78. 78
    Bathgooner says:

    Much too ponderous in possession.

    If only Villa gave us as much time to work up an attack as we gave them!

  79. 79
    scruzgooner says:

    willian really having a mare.

  80. 80
    Bathgooner says:

    oooooooooooo Laca

  81. 81
    ksn says:

    What a miss by Laca, couldnt keep his header down.

  82. 82
    BtM says:

    Got to do better when it’s on a plate for you, Laca.

  83. 83
    scruzgooner says:

    great cross by kt3, bodes well.

  84. 84
    Bathgooner says:

    We’ve been second best for most of this half but are fighting our way back into it. We need too assert ourselves more.

  85. 85
    scruzgooner says:

    good work by mo in the box.

  86. 86
    ATG says:

    Not good enough

  87. 87
    Bathgooner says:

    What a dismal half. We can’t complain about being behind.

    Surely it’s a job for the half time hair dryer? Gotta be better in the second half!

  88. 88
    scruzgooner says:

    fairly terrible. we got better from a really low standard. hairdryer time.

  89. 89
    ksn says:

    Arteta has to get them passing forward and faster and stop this slow sideways shit show. They are up for it, are we? Would love to get an affirmative answer in the second half.

  90. 90
    scruzgooner says:

    heh, baff.

  91. 91
    Steve T says:

    3 minutes of added time to allow for 5 minutes of a VAR check probably did us a favour.

    Very little to shout about anywhere on the pitch. We need a major improvement second half.

  92. 92
    bt8 says:

    Genuinely poor first half by Arsenal, punctuated by an entertainment factor of nil. A big response needed second half.

  93. 93
    Gunnersaurus Stunt Double says:

    I’m listening on Arsenal Player, so I can’t comment much on a game I’m not seeing. But I’m disappointed to be losing. This second half is unexpectedly important at this stage of the season. We really need to turn this around.

    COYG!

  94. 94
    BtM says:

    We can only do better in the second half. The high pressing we saw at the Old T is totally absent today.

    All to play for. But like Esso says, we’re toothless – have been for much of the season.

    Not working for Laca at all today. I think we’ll see Pepe or Willock ‘the disruptors’ in the second half.

    Grealish is a talent.

  95. 95
    Bathgooner says:

    That header for Laca looks a better and better chance every time they show it.

  96. 96
    Bathgooner says:

    Great minds, scruz! 😎

  97. 97
    Bathgooner says:

    Willock would be a great idea but he’s not on the bench!

  98. 98
    BtM says:

    A top striker buries the chance Laca missed there, Bath. Not as bad a miss as his three yarder against Lesta though 🙂

  99. 99
    Gunnersaurus Stunt Double says:

    Assist?

  100. 100
    BtM says:

    Never let tiresome detail get in the way of great ideas!

  101. 101
    bt8 says:

    Not really one Laca could miss tbh

  102. 102
    BtM says:

    Astro Supersports are a bit lighter on cuties tonight. They too need to raise their game.

  103. 103
    ksn says:

    Ceballos on for Partey. Is it an injury?

  104. 104
    Bathgooner says:

    Even George MacLean might have scored that one, BtM!

  105. 105
    bt8 says:

    Whoops, missed it! Well in, BtM.

  106. 106
    BtM says:

    Partey’s over 🙁

  107. 107
    Bathgooner says:

    We are going to miss Thomas Partey’s drive here. That’s not a tactical move.

  108. 108
    Bathgooner says:

    Chance!

    Missed! :0(

  109. 109
    BtM says:

    Willian sclaffs another great chance!

    Get Auba in the middle.

  110. 110
    ksn says:

    Villa kicking shit under the benign eyes of Atkinson. I hope he retires soon.

  111. 111
    BtM says:

    What do you think of our new set piece man’s work so far?

  112. 112
    ksn says:

    Villa definitely the better side so far.

  113. 113
    Steve T says:

    Looking second best and still not had a shot on target.

    Doing well to still be just one down.

  114. 114
    BtM says:

    Villa have their tails up.

  115. 115
    Bathgooner says:

    COME

    ON

    ARSENAL

    !

  116. 116
    Bathgooner says:

    OH ROB!

  117. 117
    ksn says:

    Holding misses from two yards.

  118. 118
    scruzgooner says:

    come on , rob!

  119. 119
    Bathgooner says:

    We are SO slow in our build ups.

  120. 120
    BtM says:

    Threepenny bit feet Rob Holding.

    George McLean at centre forward and it would be 3-1 for us, Bath.

  121. 121
    ksn says:

    Saka not up to it. Pepe and Nketiah to come on, hopefully for Saka and Nketiah.

  122. 122
    ksn says:

    Pepe on for Willian not Laca.

  123. 123
    scruzgooner says:

    tough ask of eddie, ksn 🤣

  124. 124
    BtM says:

    Threepenny bit feet Elneny

  125. 125
    BtM says:

    Another golden chance screw up by Eddie/Pepe

  126. 126
    Bathgooner says:

    Pepe making a difference.

  127. 127
    BtM says:

    More chances than you can swing a cat at!

  128. 128
    Cynic says:

    Fuck’s sake.

    Shit heads.

  129. 129
    BtM says:

    Tough to come back from 2-0.

  130. 130
    scruzgooner says:

    jesus.

  131. 131
    Bathgooner says:

    We’re getting nothing out of this. We’ve been extremely Emeryesque defensively and we haven’t created enough up front. In truth we deserve nothing out of this. Shocking!

  132. 132
    Cynic says:

    Unai Arteta after all, Bath?

    I jest, but fucking 3-0 is a bigger joke

  133. 133
    ksn says:

    0-3 down. We are all over the place and they are so direct and effective. Grealish really running things.

  134. 134
    BtM says:

    Excellent attacking play by Villa. Kudos to them 🙁

  135. 135
    Bathgooner says:

    Same old Arsenal… wide open defence!

    How can we let them just run through us?

  136. 136
    Steve T says:

    Shocking. 3 nil doesn’t flatter Villa at all.

  137. 137
    ksn says:

    We give 3/4 year contracts to have beens like Willian and Cedric instead of giving our youngsters a chance. We will finish in the bottom half this season.

  138. 138
    Cynic says:

    How can we let them just run through us?

    Because we’re shite.

  139. 139
    Bathgooner says:

    Can we please find the cash to buy Jack Grealish?

  140. 140
    Bathgooner says:

    Cynic @138, you are probably correct.

  141. 141
    Bathgooner says:

    TTG, you should probably sleep on the report.

  142. 142
    ksn says:

    Every Villa player looks bigger, stronger and more athletic than ours and are on par with us on skills. They are good at the dark arts and thuggery and keep kicking lumps off our players, very competitive and effective. LotS to learn and improve for Arteta. We also don’t have good ball carriers or creative midfielders. So we do well against fellow shits like Man Utd but struggle against others especially against hard tackling sides like Leicester and Villa.

  143. 143
    Bathgooner says:

    Spot on ksn

  144. 144
    Steve T says:

    60% possession and only one shot on target.

  145. 145
    Esso says:

    Absolutely fucking dreadful

  146. 146
    Cynic says:

    We have a really poor squad, sorry. Right back is a problem, we have eight centre backs of which only one is worth having. We have one left back.

    Midfield is as bad as it has been for years, we have one forward who is either brilliant or poor with no in between.

    We have players with potential who look great against rubbish opposition but aren’t really fancied when it comes to the bread and butter of the league and I won’t mention the keeper 🙂

    This is simply not good enough.

    Anyway… NFL.

  147. 147
    ATG says:

    Awful is an understatement one shot on target to show for and we got played lile a bunch of amateurs, MA stop fucking around and start playing some offensive football.

    This was a pile of dog shit!

  148. 148
    BtM says:

    We’ve seen good Villa and poor villa this season, this was very good Villa tonight and they deserved their win. Grealish MoTM and Barkley combined well with him.

    Deserved win for them and it’s no surprise they’re enjoying their best start for some 20 seasons, nor that they thumped Liverpool.

    The Arsenal need to start taking excellent chances.

    Strange odour of sewage in the bar. Off to drink elsewhere.

  149. 149
    Bathgooner says:

    An utterly rancid performance. Villa were a breath of fresh air and were well worth their win. Well played.

  150. 150
    Steve T says:

    Well that was just horrible all over the park. I can’t really think of one positive from that performance. Just awful to watch.

    Good luck to Villa. Head and shoulders above us on the night.

  151. 151
    depressedgooner says:

    I was wondering if there was a positive to the game and I managed to find one, the game ended.

    Villa were not lucky, we were not screwed by VAR or the referee, it really is very simple, against hungry aggressive sides we are lightweight and prone to this sideways and backwards shuffle, we need to be an attacking team as we are clearly not a defensive one.

    I’ve decided to stop watching Arsenal as I am quite ill and the new more enjoyable Arteta era has far too many deja vu moments from the less glorious Emery and Wenger (Final five years) eras.

    I defy anybody to tell me one player who has improved under Arteta thus far, what our best formation is, what our best team is, or whether it seems likely that we can finish in the top six let alone top four.

    Depressed, ill, and sick of watching Arsenal play so poorly.

  152. 152
    'desi'gner gooner says:

    That was by far our poorest performance ever since Arteta took charge. This was just the sort of game where we had to have a flying start and dominate them early on to set the pace of the game. Instead we played at pedestrian pace and allowed them to defend at will and pick up loose balls and run at us. After having had such an impressive game against United where we pressed them so well and played on the front foot, it was baffling to see this passive attitude from us tonight. On top of that too many players had an off night and you just can’t have that in this league.

    Villa are no pushovers and their play tonight just showed that their shock win against Liverpool was no flash in the pan. They completely deserved their win tonight. We all knew that it is a long process and there will be ups and downs but tonight was really damaging because it really went against the good disciplines that were being established structurally under Arteta. Tonight he will sleep uneasy having seen the soft underbelly of some of his players. I just hope he simplifies things and plays his best attacking players in home games and just goes for it in these type of games instead of being neither here nor there.

    After a defeat like this, it is best to have another game immediately to set things right. Unfortunately the international break comes at the wrong time for us.

  153. 153
    'desi'gner gooner says:

    Depressed@151, the players who have most definitely improved under Arteta are Saka, Elneny, Mustafi (his performances at the back end of last season preceding his injury) and Ceballos.

    Yes we had a poor result tonight but that doesn’t take away the other good work Arteta has done before with a poorly constructed squad. With that squad it was always going to be a long road ahead and bumps like tonight as hurtful as they are were always going to happen.

  154. 154
    Bathgooner says:

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>