Arsenal icon Paul Merson believes Aston Villa will be ‘in trouble’ when they meet the Gunners if Declan Rice breaks their lines like Manchester City failed to without Rodri.
The Villa Park outfit welcome Arsenal to Birmingham on Saturday evening as Aston Villa look to build on beating Manchester City. Leon Bailey (74’) gave Unai Emery’s side all three points at home to the Citizens on Wednesday night when his effort deflected home off Ruben Dias.
Aston Villa more than merited their slice of luck after dominating their match and restricting Manchester City to two shots. A lack of clinical finishing could have cost Emery’s men before Bailey’s strike hit the net. Villa have now won their past 14 Premier League fixtures at home.
Paul Merson expects Declan Rice to put Aston Villa ‘in trouble’
But life for Emery’s men does not get easier as Aston Villa follow beating Manchester City by hosting the current Premier League leaders, Arsenal, on Saturday. Merson also suspects the Gunners will be a more daunting opponent if Rice can get on the ball and conduct the game.
The Arsenal legend claims Aston Villa’s win over Manchester City highlighted how important Rice is to Mikel Arteta’s side given how much Pep Guardiola’s squad struggled without Rodri. So, the Villans must fully take Rice into account more than Bukayo Saka or Martin Odegaard.
“Rodri was a huge miss for Manchester City at Villa Park,” Merson told Sky Sports. “When he’s missing, it’s like having the best car but not putting the right fuel in. If he’s not there, you take a lot away from City. For me, that highlights the importance of Rice in this game.
“They paid top dollar for him and he has taken them to a new level. Rice gets on the ball and starts everything off for Arsenal and if they can break the lines, which City failed to do, then Villa are in trouble.
“He’ll play the simple pass and can easily break the lines. If he can regularly do that, getting the ball to Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka waiting on the wings, then it will be a major problem for Villa.”
Declan Rice would be Arsenal’s saviour in back-to-back matches
Aston Villa dominated Manchester City for much of their meeting in midweek but Arteta will hope Rice fulfils Merson’s prophecy so Arsenal do not meet the same fate. Guardiola did not have his midfield metronome, Rodri, in Birmingham with the Spaniard serving a suspension.
Rice, on the other hand, was Arsenal’s saviour at Luton Town this Tuesday. The 24-year-old scored his third goal of the season so far in the 97th minute to snatch a 4-3 win. But just like Merson says, the 48-cap England star’s ability to break up and distribute play will be crucial.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
