Arsenal vs. Aston Villa: Issues and Decisions to Shape Premier League Game
This weekend, Arsenal host Aston Villa. After wins against Stoke City and Manchester City, the Gunners will be looking to put together a run of three consecutive league victories for the first time this season.
In the reverse fixture earlier this season, Arsenal ran out comfortable winners after scoring three rapid-fire goals in a furious first-half blitz. However, Villa were suffering from a bout of illness that robbed them of several key players and weakened several more. This time, they will be determined to put up more of a fight.
Read on to discover some of the key issues that will decide this Premier League game.
Will Alexis Sanchez Make It?
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In the build-up to the game, Arsene Wenger revealed to Arsenal's official website that Alexis Sanchez has a "hamstring concern" and "might be out".
Alexis is Arsenal's undoubted star, and his mere presence in the starting XI can galvanise his team-mates. Arsenal have barely played a league game without him, so it will be a significant test if they're made to play without the inspirational Chilean.
Can Carles Gil Repeat His FA Cup Heroics?
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Carles Gil opened his Aston Villa account on his full debut against Bournemouth with a stunning curled effort.
Paul Lambert has been hugely impressed by his impact. Even before the FA Cup fixture, a cameo against Liverpool was enough for him to tell the Daily Mail:
"To an extent it was a magic performance. Carles gives us something we don't have but to come on and play the way he did in a game of that magnitude lifted the whole stadium and it was great.
He is an excellent footballer, has a low centre of gravity and has an excellent touch, a typical Spanish type of player.
Technically, he's first class, and he has only been here a few days so there'll be a lot more to come from him.
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Arsenal must keep Gil quiet if they are to overcome Villa, who will be pinning their hopes on their new Spanish playmaker.
Will Arsenal Throw Gabriel Paulista Straight In?
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Carles Gil is not the only former Liga star looking for a first Premier League start. Arsenal's own new boy, Gabriel Paulista, will also be hoping for an immediate impact after joining from Villarreal.
Although Gabriel has been named in the squad, he will most likely begin on the bench. He will barely have trained with his new team-mates, and with both Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny fit, there is no immediate need to throw him into the team.
Will Wojciech Szczesny Win Back His Place?
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After being dropped from the first XI for the Premier League matches with Stoke and Manchester City, Wojciech Szczesny returned to the team for the FA Cup fixture with Brighton and Hove Albion.
It remains to be seen whether that was just a temporary reprieve. In all likelihood, Szczesny will return to the bench with David Ospina continuing as Arsene Wenger's first-choice Premier League goalkeeper. The Colombian simply hasn't done anything to warrant being dropped.
Is Mesut Ozil Ready to Start?
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Mesut Ozil started his first game in several months against Brighton in the FA Cup. Now, with doubts over the fitness of Alexis, he could be thrown into Premier League action.
Ozil's best performance of the season thus far came against Villa, and he scored the second of Arsenal's three goals in the reverse fixture. This could be an ideal match for him to step up his rehabilitation. If Ozil can click in to gear, Villa will find Arsenal difficult to resist.
