Pain in the Arsenal
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Aston Villa vs Arsenal: 3 ways to beat Gerrard’s side

By Ross Kennerley

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 22, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 22, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Laca
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 22: Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa and Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on October 22, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /

2. Dominate Them Physically

One of the huge bonuses for Arsenal in this match is the expected absence of Douglas Luiz. He isn’t an exceptional talent who would tear this Gunners side to shreds, but he is a combative physical presence in the base of their midfield, one who lets their No. 8’s shine.

It is touch and go that he features after a requiring surgery on a facial injury but the signs are that he will miss out, leaving Villa with decisions to make in their midfield.

They could change their shape entirely or bring Morgan Sanson into the No. 6 role, yet whatever personnel they opt for they lack that domineering physicality at the top level. None of Jacob Ramsey, John McGinn, Sanson or Philippe Coutinho are imposing figures.

As seen in West Ham’s recent win over Villa, the Hammers were able to play through Gerrard’s side centrally without a great deal of trouble. On the ball this Villa side has superb quality in midfield – Ramsey is a particularly bright talent – yet off the ball they aren’t a strong, duel-winning group. Gerrard has said as much himself.

If Arsenal can gain control of the central areas and limit space for the Villa midfield to carry the ball into then this is a game they can absolutely win.

Continued on next page…

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