So much for having for having one of the best attacking groups in the Premier League. Despite having a wealth of offensive options, Arsenal have drawn in three-straight games, most recently against Manchester City in a game in which the Gunners did look impressive at times. Arsenal will have a prime opportunity to record just their second win of the season when they visit Villa Park on Saturday.
As discussed in our high-value sleeper picks, Arsenal are one of the teams capable of raising the Premier League trophy this season. Can they go on a championship run starting with a win this weekend? Read on as we break down everything you’ll need to know in this crucial Premier League tilt.
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Arsenal vs. Aston Villa Betting Preview
Where: Villa Park, Birmingham, England
When: Saturday, September 20, 10:00 AM ET
Line: Arsenal -153 at Aston Villa +345, tie +255; total 2.5 – view all EPL lines
What’s at Stake
[sc:Soccer240banner ]After four weeks of Premier League action, Aston Villa are second only to Chelsea with three wins and a draw. Meanwhile, Arsenal have been disappointing with just one win in four games. Arsenal will need to step up their game if we are to believe their status as dangerous sleepers to steal the crown this year, while Aston Villa could take this game as an opportunity to demonstrate they are no flukes.
Betting on Arsenal
It’s no secret that Arsenal love going forward. With players like Alexis Sanchez, Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck, the Gunners are certainly not lacking in attacking quality. Those three were in fine form against Manchester City last week.
Welbeck hit the post early, Wilshere scored a sublime equalizer, and Alexis struck a sweet volley for his second goal in four league games this season.
But it’s also no secret that Arsenal’s defense is lacking. They conceded a late equalizer against City to draw their third game in a row, and were torn apart in a 2-0 defeat away to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League in midweek.
That sketchy defense was without right back Mathieu Debuchy, who suffered an ankle injury against City. Debuchy’s injury now leaves the Gunners with only Calum Chambers at right back while having no recognizable cover at the center. To make matters worse, Wilshere also turned his troublesome ankle and could face another spell on the sidelines.
But even with Wilshere missing, Arsenal still has a talented midfield with the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil, who should be able to control possession against Aston Villa. And with Sanchez and Welbeck, they have terrific speed to launch some lightning-quick counterattacks if the home team ventures too far forward.
However, it remains to be seen if a defense that has yet to keep a clean sheet in four league games can do so on the road, where Arsenal conceded the most goals (30) out of the top eight teams in the league last season.
Aston Villa find themselves in the unlikely position of second in the Premier League standings after going undefeated in their first four Premier League games this season (three wins and a draw). Villa will have plenty of confidence as they host Arsenal in Villa Park after their 1-0 win against championship contenders Liverpool at Anfield last weekend.
Gabriel Agbonlahor exploited Liverpool’s vulnerability to set pieces by scoring an early goal after a corner nine minutes into the match. The lone goal proved to be the game’s winner as Aston Villa held off Liverpool’s attack for the rest of the game.
Adding some depth to Villa’s attack, Andreas Weimann figures to play a big role at center forward. Weimann has two goals this season, one each against Hull City and Stoke City, and has the physicality to ruffle some feathers in the Arsenal backline.
Despite losing the possession battle to Liverpool, 74-26 percent, Aston Villa’s defense held up very solidly once again. Goalkeeper Brad Guzman had a save and caught a cross to avoid a Liverpool equalizer. Meanwhile, center back Nathan Baker was a solid wall against Liverpool.
It remains to be seen if Aston Villa can muster another enduring defensive effort with Sanchez, Welbeck and Ozil all going forward and bearing down on Villa’s goal. But don’t underestimate Villa’s defense, which has conceded just one league goal thus far, the fewest in the Premier League.
Writer’s Prediction
Arsenal (-153) finally break their string of draws and Aston Villa’s defensive streak with a two-goal victory.
