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Mikel Arteta believes his “sensational” Arsenal are able to catching Liverpool within the Premier League title race, forward of internet hosting Aston Villa on Saturday.
Arsenal misplaced in each the EFL Cup and FA Cup – the latter on penalties to Manchester United – however bounced again on Sunday with a 2-1 victory over fierce rivals Tottenham.
That top-flight win moved Arsenal inside 4 factors of Liverpool, who nonetheless have a recreation in hand to come back subsequent month, and Arteta is assured of looking down Arne Slot’s males.
Requested if Arsenal are title contenders, the Spaniard stated: “Yeah we’re. There’s a lot to play for. We are able to see how tough it’s for each group.”
As for the efficiency in opposition to Spurs, he added: “We had been sensational. It was a giant check after two video games and never getting rewarded.
“We had been extremely good within the final recreation in opposition to United and we ended up dropping one way or the other.
“It’s the way you reply to a scenario. These boys need extra, They wish to be examined and questioned, then they wish to go on the pitch.”
The profitable second pic.twitter.com/0ayufbIRso
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 16, 2025
Villa had been 1-0 winners at Everton in midweek as Ollie Watkins’ strike helped his facet transfer to seventh within the desk.
“I’m pleased and a clear sheet is essential,” former Arsenal supervisor Unai Emery stated earlier than looking forward to Saturday.
“A very powerful factor is to win however we’re conceding numerous targets, greater than regular and I don’t know precisely why.
“Now we have a foul spell within the final matches we performed away within the Premier League and we attempt to be constant within the desk, to get within the prime 10 positions and attempt to be all of the season kind of with the likelihood to be in Champions League.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Arsenal – Martin Odegaard
Since his first begin following his return from damage in opposition to Chelsea in November, Martin Odegaard has created 42 possibilities in all competitions.
That’s virtually twice as many as every other Arsenal participant, with Declan Rice the following on 23, and Odegaard shall be anticipated to drag the strings as soon as extra on Saturday.
Martin Odegaard makes it look straightforward pic.twitter.com/rl0ftAGz9H
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 16, 2025
Aston Villa – Ollie Watkins
Watkins has been concerned in 98 targets (68 targets, 30 assists) in 167 Premier League video games, with solely Gabriel Agbonlahor reaching triple figures for Villa within the competitors (108).
The Villa ahead has additionally solely scored extra top-flight targets in opposition to Brighton (seven) than in opposition to Arsenal (5), with three of his 5 in opposition to the Gunners coming on the Emirates Stadium.
MATCH PREDICTION – ARSENAL WIN
Arsenal are the heavy favourites for victory on Saturday, regardless of their latest struggles in opposition to Emery’s facet.
Certainly, Villa have gained 5 of their final 10 Premier League conferences with Arsenal (L5), as many as they’d of their earlier 46 in opposition to the Gunners (D14 L27).
Emery’s guests had been 2-0 winners on this precise fixture final season, too, however Arsenal haven’t misplaced consecutive residence league video games in opposition to Villa since their first two Premier League conferences again in 1992-93 and 1993-94.
That loss final April to Villa was Arsenal’s solely defeat throughout their earlier 13 residence video games within the Premier League, final managing an extended run when going 16 with out defeat beneath Emery again within the 2018-19 season.
A draw also needs to be off the playing cards given not one of the final 18 conferences between Arsenal and Villa on this competitors have ended stage.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Arsenal win – 61.2%
Draw – 20.5%
Aston Villa win – 18.4%
