Arsenal vs Valencia: Sometimes, bullying is perfectly acceptable

Arsenal need a serious victory, and by serious, I mean pump home those goals. Valencia could provide an opportunity for that.

Arsenal are in the worst rut of the Unai Emery era, having succumbed to three straight, progressively worsening losses. It’s been horrible. Just when you thought they had turned a corner, they fall to the furthest depth that they’ve hit all season.

Thankfully, before we return to Premier League action, we have to host Valencia. As it stands, Valencia are hovering at sixth in La Liga and have been perfectly good all year. They aren’t bringing in the kind of fear factor that Napoli did, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be a tough side to face.

That said, when you stack up all the pros and cons of this match, you start to see the potential for a breakout match.

Valencia are not going to challenge the Gunners for the lion’s share of possession – it being at the Emirates and all.

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Meaning that the likes of Granit Xhaka and Mesut Ozil (assuming they both start) will have time plenty of time on the ball to make things happen. It’s been this way for numerous home games, the problem has just come in terms of doing something with that possession. One facet or another always seems to fail the club – creating the chances, taking the chances, setting the table for chances, etc.

Against Valencia, the Gunners need to lay down the hurt. Not just for the fans, but for themselves. They’ve lost three straight matches by a goal tally of 9-3, and it’s been a horrible thing to watch. But it must have been even more horrible to be a part of.

Generally, running up the score is frowned upon, and that’s if you ever get into the position to do so. But if ever there was a time that I would want to see the Gunners ruthlessly thumping home goals to the last minute, this would be it. I fully expect 2-0 lead or so at half time, but that doesn’t mean you take the foot off the gas and cruise. They need to make a statement.

I know that Europa League and Premier League are two separate competitions and there shouldn’t be any overlap, but when you lose three in a row in any competition when so much is on the line, you need to drive home a serious reminder that you’re still a force to be reckoned with. This can be that chance.