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| Arsenal's task is straightforward, beat Aston Villa and return to the top spot, they cannot afford to slip up in the title race. (Photo credit: Sky Sports) |
It was at this point last season when Arsenal’s unlikely title dream collapsed, with three straight draws against Liverpool, West Ham, and Southampton, then a loss at Manchester City took the title away from them.
How well has Arsenal grown from the heartbreak of last season? The world will be able to tell when Aston Villa visits the Emirates on Sunday, not forgetting another big game at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday in the Champions League.
Aston Villa would celebrate Tottenham’s heavy loss at Newcastle like a win; they usurped Spurs without even kicking the ball, and the four goals conceded by Ange Postecoglou’s side ate deep into their goals, helping Villa rise above them on goal difference.
Arsenal has a date with Bayern Munich on Wednesday. It’s an unfinished business, a grudge game with memories of old pains knocking on their doors, but the most important game right now is the visit of Villa to the Emirates.
Arsenal saw Manchester City move up to the summit of the Premier League log on Saturday with a convincing win over Luton Town. Liverpool could send Arsenal third with any kind of positive result earlier in the day, but, by goals, Arsenal would return to the top with any kind of win.
Both sides have reasons to go for this. Unai Emery would love to have one over the club that fired him in 2019 after a run of poor results. He already took three points off the Gunners this season in a 1-0 home win, and he can complete the double over them to return Arsenal’s favors from last season.
Arsenal will set up with their best legs; they don’t want to keep an eye on Bayern and then lose sight of what matters in the league. Expect Mikel Arteta to start all his big hitters, but Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu could have big parts to play.
Aston Villa is in a good place; while they have Douglas Luiz suspended for yellow cards, they have Youri Tielemans and John McGinn to call on in central midfield. Michael Rogers has been a revelation since joining in January; expect him to shine in this one too.
Arsenal knows only a win will earn them the top spot; they could also go for the kill with more goals to stay in charge on that front. Aston Villa will not be out to do them any favors; if they want it, they must fight for it.