Arsenal are set to take on Aston Villa in an important Premier League clash as they look to right the wrongs of last season.
Mikel Arteta’s side lost just one game in their final 18 of last season, but that came at home to Aston Villa, and that was arguably the result which cost Arsenal the title.
Former boss Unai Emery did the double over Arsenal last season, with a 1-0 win at Villa Park in November 2023 a particularly frustrating result, and Arteta’s side will have both games in mind when they face Villa again.
This game will be a huge test of Arsenal’s Premier League title credentials as they aim to build upon their opening-day victory over Wolves, and win at a ground they lost at last season.
Arteta has now praised Emery and Villa, and explained why they have been such a tough opponent for the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta praises Unai Emery and Aston Villa
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta highlighted Villa’s strongest areas, and explained what went wrong in the clashes last season.
“They scored and we didn’t, it’s very simple. In two games we had an enormous amount of chances to do that, and that was the big difference,” he stated.
“There were other details for sure which we have analysed, and we will have to do better tomorrow because they are a really good side with a good coach.
“They dominate every aspect of the game, when you give them space to run they are phenomenal, when there is no space and they have to find it they can do that. In any restarts or set-pieces, they are at it, and that’s why they did what they did.”
Aston Villa was Arsenal’s toughest opponent last season
Aston Villa were the only side to beat Arsenal home and away last season, and they were also the only team Arsenal did not score against despite creating a lot of chances in both games.
They were definitely Arsenal’s most frustrating opponents, but Arteta insists that there is no extra fire in the fixture because of Emery’s presence at Villa.
“Personally? I don’t do things personally, I just have the will to win and prepare the team in the best possible way, regardless of who we are playing against,” Arteta added when asked about Emery.
“It’s one of the toughest places to go for sure. We know that, we’ve prepared really well to understand what we have to do to go there and win the game.”
A win would be perfect for Arsenal as they aim to navigate a tough opening month, but a loss could be detrimental to their title hopes even at this stage of the season, with little room for error.
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