Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal can expect a stern challenge when they travel to Villa Park to face former Gunners boss Unai Emery on Saturday afternoon.
Mikel Arteta’s side started the season with a 2-0 victory over Wolves, with Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka netting for the Gunners on the opening weekend of the Premier League.
Arsenal’s first away game of the season sees them travel to face Aston Villa. Having suffered two costly defeats at the hands of The Villains during the previous campaign, Arteta’s team will be desperate to write the wrongs of last season.
Villa also got off to a great start in their first Premier League game, as they narrowly defeated West Ham 2-1, thanks to an early goal from their debutant, Amadou Onana, and a late strike from Colombian substitute, Jhon Durán.
Former Arsenal boss, Unai Emery, has been in charge of Villa since November 2022 and helped guide his side into the Champions League places last time out.
Arteta’s compatriot was appointed Arsenal manager in 2018, succeeding Arsene Wenger. However, the Spaniard faced a difficult spell in North London and was ultimately dismissed a year and a half later.
Now in charge of Aston Villa, Emery severely dented Arsenal’s title hopes last year, with a 2-0 victory over The Gunners last April. But who holds the better head-to-head record between the two?
Mikel Arteta vs Unai Emery H2H Record
- Mikel Arteta: 1 win
- Unai Emery: 3 wins
- Draws: 1
Arteta succeeded Emery as Arsenal boss in December 2019, and the two Spaniards have now faced off against each other on multiple occasions.
Villarreal 2-1 Arsenal – April 29th 2021
Arteta and Emery first went toe-to-toe in the dugout at the Estadio de la Ceràmica for the first leg of the Europa League semi-final during the 2020/21 season.
Villareal was Emery’s first job since departing North London, and goals from Manu Trigueros and Raúl Albiol ensured it would be the former Arsenal manager who would claim the first head-to-head victory.
Arsenal 0-0 Villareal – May 6th 2021
Arsenal found themselves in with a chance of reaching the Europa League final in Gdansk, courtesy of a late Nicolas Pépé penalty in the first leg.
However, Arteta’s side couldn’t find a way past Villarreal’s backline at the Emirates and exited at the semi-final stage.
The Yellow Submarine would go on to defeat Manchester United in the final, with Emery’s spell in Spain proving to be very successful.
Aston Villa 2-4 Arsenal – February 18th 2023
The first Premier League clash between the two managers turned out to be a blockbuster at Villa Park.
Arsenal managed to preserve their lead at the summit of the Premier League table courtesy of two stoppage-time goals, including Jorginho’s strike that rebounded in off Emiliano Martinez in the 93rd minute.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal – December 9th 2023
After defeating Manchester City by the same scoreline three days prior, John McGinn’s early goal was enough to secure the three points for Emery’s side, and a club-record 15th home league win in a row.
Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa – April 14th 2024
Arsenal’s title hopes were dealt a blow when Aston Villa earned a 2-0 victory at the Emirates thanks to goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins. Villa would go on to claim a spot in the top four, with Arsenal just missing out on the title by two points.
Can Mikel Arteta get the better of Unai Emery?
With both teams heading into the game having picked up wins on the opening weekend, Arteta’s side will be looking to maintain their perfect record against Emery’s Villa.
Arsenal fans will also be hoping new signing Riccardo Calafiori makes an appearance after the Italian was left on the bench against Wolves.
The Gunners will have to be wary of live wire, Leon Bailey, who impressed against West Ham, as well as the main man up top, Ollie Watkins.
With Emery boasting an impressive record against Arteta, the latter will be desperate to get one over on his fellow compatriot on Saturday afternoon.
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