Arsenal vs. Aston Villa: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
Premier League audiences will see just how reliant Arsenal are on Alexis Sanchez this weekend. Arsene Wenger's team will have to navigate a home game against goal-shy Aston Villa without its free-scoring talisman.
Here are the schedule and viewing details for the game:
Date: Sunday, February 1, 2015
Time: 1:30 p.m. (GMT) / 8:30 a.m. (ET)
TV: Sky Sports 1 / NBCSN
Live Stream: Sky Go, NBC Sports Live Extra
Preview
Wenger confirmed he's unlikely to risk Sanchez, who is suffering from a hamstring problem, per Daily Mirror reporter John Cross. He also confirmed Wenger stating fellow forward Danny Welbeck will also miss out.
But it's Sanchez's absence the Gunners will feel strongest. He's been magnificent since arriving from Barcelona last summer.
The Chilean international has already bagged 18 goals in all competitions, per Arsenal.com. That's an exceptional introduction to England's top flight.
Just as important, Sanchez has brought a fear factor back to Wenger's squad. He's the one player who can turn a game in an instant with his pace, tireless work rate and eye for goal.
Fortunately for the Gunners, Wenger has plenty of other attacking talents he can call on. In particular, he'll be thrilled to welcome Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil back to Premier League action.
Walcott marked his return with the first goal in Arsenal's 3-2 FA Cup win over Brighton & Hove Albion. He's the more natural replacement for Sanchez thanks to his pace, movement and quality finishing.
Ozil also etched his name on the scoresheet at Brighton, the highlight of a quietly impressive performance. But the club's record signing appears locked in a battle for the No. 10 role with brilliant pint-sized pass-master Santi Cazorla.
Successfully integrating both of these mercurial schemers into the same starting 11 is one of Wenger's biggest current challenges. Sky Sports writer Matthew Stanger believes Ozil will benefit from increased playing time as he bids to get back to his best form.
Even without Sanchez, the Gunners still enter this game with ample flair, creativity and pace in attack.
Villa will try to counter with their own pace on the break. Per Squawka Football, Manager Paul Lambert has added a fleet-footed winger to the Premier League's most stunted attack:
Daily Express reporter Joe Short has suggested Scott Sinclair could start at the Emirates Stadium. If so, he'll form a dangerous combination with another lightning-fast forward, Gabriel Agbonlahor.
Even if Sinclair doesn't feature right away, Lambert has to find ways to ignite an attack that's netted just 11 goals all season, per PremierLeague.com. That won't be easy against a Gunners defence that's kept a clean sheet in its last two league matches.
Wenger even strengthened his options at the back with the arrival of Gabriel Paulista. The Arsenal chief has suggested the Brazilian ex-Villarreal star could feature against the Villains, per his club's official Twitter feed:
The 24-year-old boasts "good pace," according to Wenger, per Jim van Wijk of The Independent. That makes him a good option against Villa's speed on the counter.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa
The Gunners have won eight, drew one and lost just one in their last 10 matches in all competitions, per Arsenal.com. Wenger has been steadily assembling a squad that suddenly looks deep and powerful at the key positions.
Expect his greater options to make the difference against a Villa side still struggling for fluency going forward.
