Aston Villa vs. Arsenal: Predicting Arsene Wenger's Starting 11

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Instead of implementing an us-against-the-world mentality, Arsène Wenger has waved the white flag by telling the world his team would not win the Premier League after their 1-0 loss to Manchester City. 

The loss to Manchester City, as well as a shambolic defensive display against Blackburn Rovers all but confirmed the same problems which have plagued Arsenal's recent trophy-less seasons. 

André Villas-Boas' impending train wreck at Chelsea paved a clear path for Arsenal to once again secure UEFA Champions League qualification.

A win against Aston Villa is a must, and this article will predict Wenger's starting 11. 

Feel free to comment below with your starting 11s.

Arsenal Team News

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

 

Player	Reason Out	Expected Return Date
Abou Diaby	Hamstring	26/12/2011 (Wolves)
Alex Song	Suspension	26/12/2011 (Wolves)
André Santos	Ankle	17/3/2012 (Everton)
Bacary Sagna	Ankle	24/3/2012 (Aston Villa)
Carl Jenkinson	Back	4/2/2012 (Blackburn)
Jack Wilshere	Ankle	15/2/2012 (A.C. Milan)
Johan Djourou	Groin	15/1/2012 (Swansea)
Łukasz Fabiański	Knee	26/12/2011 (Wolves)
Ryo Miyaichi	Ankle	31/12/2011 (Bolton)

 

DOUBTFUL 

Player	Reason Out	Expected Return Date
Kieran Gibbs	Stomach	21/12/2011 (Aston Villa)

With someone as injury-prone as Gibbs, it's better to play it safe than to rush him back and possibly see him injured again. 

Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczęsny

Wojciech Szczęsny is an outstanding prospect.

He's a funny lad, too.

Szczęsny shows great swagger with a strong command of English. And what about that half-Cockney accent? 

He's a milder version of Mario Balotelli, albeit without the dressing room bust-ups. 

Right-Back: Laurent Koscielny

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Laurent Koscielny's performances this season have been a substantial improvement from last season. 

Johan Djourou's injury was a blessing in disguise because the Swiss is horrible as a make-shift full-back. 

Carl Jenkinson isn't Premier-League standard.

Buying a right-back in January is a must. 

Centre-Back: Per Mertesacker

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Per Mertesacker has been hard to watch because he is lacking the dominance.

He's turned into a meek, indecisive and error-prone defender. 

Arsène Wenger was right in buying a German centre-back, but he bought the wrong one.

He should have bought up-and-coming Philipp Wollscheid instead of a declining Mertesacker. 

Centre-Back: Thomas Vermaelen

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Thomas Vermaelen's long-term future is at centre-back, so there's no point in dilly-dallying him at left-back. The defence is bound to be cut through the middle. 

You might as well have the insurance of Vermaelen in the centre to clean up the mess. 

If Arsenal buy Jan Vertonghen and a right-back, moving Vermaelen into midfield would become a viable option.

Left-Back: Miquel

Dan Istitene/Getty Images

In Miquel's cameo against Manchester City, he was caught out of position several times by Micah Richards' pace.

With André Santos out for the foreseeable future and with Kieran Gibbs still untrustworthy, Arsène Wenger is likely to give Miquel a start at left-back. 

After all, he did start two Carling Cup games at left-back. 

If the former Barcelona player starts at left-back, he'll be up against Marc Albrighton, which will be a stern test to Miquel's defensive competency. 

Defensive Midfielder: Emmanuel Frimpong

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Francis Coquelin hasn't made Arsenal's bench in a Premier League game since Wigan Athletic at the start of the month.

In Arsenal's last three games, Emmanuel Frimpong has come on as a last-minute substitute, warmed the bench and started. 

So, if you read into who makes the bench, it's clear Frimpong is preferred over Coquelin.

Although, I like Coquelin. I won't forget when Arsenal were being beaten around by Manchester United and the most inexperienced player stood up, whilst his more experienced teammates laid down. 

Defensive Midfielder: Mikel Arteta

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Having picked up a yellow card against Manchester City, there were initial reports stating that Mikel Arteta would incur a one match suspension. 

Arsenal.com confirmed this was not the case, and Arteta will be eligible to play against Aston Villa.

Arteta has played well as one of the two pivots in the 2 of the 4-2-3-1 formation.

Against Manchester City, he made two successful tackles and intercepted the ball six times. 

Right Winger: Theo Walcott

Michael Regan/Getty Images

As much as Theo Walcott yearns to play as a centre forward, his pace gives Arsenal such an advantage that Arsène Wenger is given no choice but to play him as a winger. 

Walcott is intent on playing as a forward because he's constantly told the press of his ability as a forward. He even held a meeting with Wenger in September to discuss the likelihood of playing as a forward. Oh yeah, and Walcott plays himself at forward on the FIFA video games.

I'd love to see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain given a chance because he enjoys playing as a winger.

Remember, Walcott is a make-shift winger, whereas Chamberlain is a natural winger. 

Attacking Midfielder: Aaron Ramsey

Michael Regan/Getty Images

If Aaron Ramsey played under José Mourinho, the Welshman would have been subbed off for turning the ball over several times with ill-judged back-heels. 

It's now nine games in a row where he has failed to provide an assist. 

Left Winger: Gervinho

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Gervinho's dribbling style is what I'd like to call "running blind."

Some days, his dribbling allows him to get into great position to provide incisive passes. 

This season, there was a stretch where he had a goal and six assists in seven games. 

Other days, he dribbles into a blind alley and loses the ball. 

Centre Forward: Robin Van Persie

Robin The Great.

Robin van Persie has carried an Arsenal side who have been debilitated by injuries. 

Ironically, van Persie's injury record and his age will be the main reasons why other clubs will not make a monumental bid for his services. 

This is assuming van Persie doesn't force his way out of the club. 

His signature game was against Chelsea, where he conquered André Villas-Boas' high line. 

Playing such a high line is an insult to someone of van Persie's ability and to Arsenal's calibre of attacking football.

Tactical Matchup

Source: This11

• Aston Villa: 4-4-2
• Arsenal: 4-2-3-1

Against Liverpool, Aston Villa's main issue was their engine room malfunctioning. 

Fabian Delph was nonexistent and Stiliyan Petrov was sub-par. 

Arsenal's midfield three are likely to overpower Aston Villa's central midfield pairing. 

Arsenal's high line will be exposed by Gabriel Agbonlahor's pace, and Per Mertesacker will be in for another long day. 

Marc Albrighton vs. Miquel will be an interesting match-up. 

At the end of the day, it's either facing Albrighton at left-back or facing Agbonlahor at centre-back.

I'd take Albrighton. 

Please read the 20 Greatest Soccer Back-heels.