Nobody talks about Aston Villa being in the title race, do they? If they win this game that will change.
Villa struggled at the start of the season but now they have been on this incredible run, and it is a real test for Arsenal.
What was Gunners boss Mikel Arteta doing, leaving Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze out of Wednesday’s win over Brentford? He has been the backbone of my fantasy team this season.
Saka and Eze should be back on Saturday but Arteta has a history of being cautious in big games like this – see their draw at Stamford Bridge last week, for example.
A lot of people saw this as a good thing and I know why, but as a former player, I know that after playing against 10 players for an hour, I would have left the field disappointed with the draw.
Arteta has a different mentality. This is not a criticism, because it is working for them, but they are quite practical.
I still think they’ll win the league, and I still believe they’re the strongest team at the moment with the depth in their squad to deal with the injuries they’ve had – but they can still remember that Chelsea game, or their defeat to Liverpool in August, and wish they’d put more effort into it.
I don’t think they’ll do the same at Villa Park, and the most likely outcome will probably be another draw, which would be Arsenal’s third consecutive draw on the road.
But I don’t want to go for a draw because it is the biggest game of the weekend and, in any case, I think Arsenal will win it quietly in what would be a real win.
I’m sure Villa will really attack them, but Arsenal will cancel them out and find a way to get a goal.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-1
Page prediction: As much as I would love to see Arsenal lose as they are clearly on top at the moment, I have a feeling they are going to get the edge in this one. At present he has some injuries but it does not seem to have much effect on him. It feels like this is going to be their season, as much as it kills me to say it. 1-2
AI Prediction: 1-2