The headline fixture in the Premier League this weekend sees Aston Villa host Arsenal at Villa Park on Saturday evening (17:30) and it should be an informative clash between two top-four rivals from last season.
The title-chasing Gunners eased past Wolves 2-0 at the Emirates on the opening weekend of action, but more will be required against a Villa side that were impressive 2-1 winners at West Ham in their first contest of the campaign.
- ARSENAL TO WIN TO NIL
- KAI HAVERTZ TO SCORE ANYTIME
- AMADOU ONANA TO BE SHOWN A CARD
Gunners Can Mount A Strong Defence
Arsenal will be well aware of the dangers that Aston Villa can pose after losing home and away to the Villans in the Premier League last season.
Unai Emery’s men are credited for derailing Arsenal’s title challenge after beating the Gunners 2-0 at the Emirates in the final stretch of the campaign.
That was an interesting contest, which Arsenal dominated in the first 45 minutes, but Arteta’s men were second best in the second half and Villa scored two late goals to claim victory.
Arsenal conceded just 29 goals in 38 top-flight matches last term and the north Londoners registered their first shutout of the new campaign against Wolves last weekend.
Expect Arteta’s men to be strong defensively and backing the Gunners to win to nil looks a value play on Saturday. After all, the Gunners kept 18 clean sheets last season.
ARSENAL TO WIN TO NIL
Bet On The Premier League
Havertz Can Find The Net
Kai Havertz scored 13 Premier League goals in his debut season in north London last season and there should be further progress to come from the 25-year-old German international.
The former Chelsea man should now be at home in his new surroundings and Havertz has a season of playing in a central striking role under his belt.
The German forward notched on the opening weekend of the season in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Wolves and the 25-year-old can strike again at Villa Park.
KAI HAVERTZ TO SCORE ANYTIME
Onana To Be Booked
Amadou Onana was shown nine Premier League yellow cards in an Everton shirt last season and Villa’s summer signing could be in trouble against Arsenal’s midfield on Saturday.
The 23-year-old is a combative midfielder who will be responsible for breaking down Arsenal’s attacks at Villa Park and with that comes great pressure.
Onana attempted three tackles at West Ham last weekend, committing two fouls, and those numbers are likely to be exaggerated against a top-level Gunners side that have serious ambitions of claiming their first Premier League title since 2003–04.
AMADOU ONANA TO BE SHOWN A CARD
