Arsenal vs Aston Villa: 5 key players with progress on the mind

4. Bukayo Saka

I feel a little like a spoiled child when I say this, but it’s been too long since we’ve seen Bukayo Saka attack. Against Liverpool he was trapped on defense, unable to get forward, and against Tottenham, we just sucked in general.

But against Leicester City, he was phenomenal, and that was coming after his goal against Wolverhampton saved what was otherwise a pretty poor performance. All in the wake of his new contract.

Bukayo Saka didn’t play against Manchester City, which means he’s going to play here, and no matter where he plays, either as a wingback or a winger, he is going to have the freedom to get forward against a Villa side that is not going to hem him in as Liverpool did.

That always means good things. Even when Saka is bad (Wolverhampton) the threat is always there that he will recoup his effort with a goal or assist. More of that against Aston Villa is on the way.

Next stop, No. 3.