Arsenal host struggling Aston Villa on Sunday at the Emirates. The Gunners have drawn twice and lost one of their last three matches in the Premier League, which included letting a two-goal lead slip last weekend against Watford.
Villa, meanwhile, have drawn one, lost one, and won one of their last three games in the league. The last time these two sides met in the Premier League was in 2016 when the Gunners ran away 4-0 winners.
Let’s take a look at 3 key battles in the game between Arsenal and Aston Villa:
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang vs Tyrone Mings
Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette has been ruled out due to injury which means that the onus to score goals will be on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who already has five goals in five games.
The forward will be up against in-form Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings, who has had an impressive start to the Premier League campaign. Mings is strong in the air and on the ball too and could outmuscle Aubameyang, while the former Borussia Dortmund striker’s pace could cause Mings problems.
John McGinn vs Granit Xhaka
One of Villa’s star players this season has been John McGinn, who has been very good for the newly-promoted side at the heart of the midfield. The Scottish midfielder can move ahead with the ball, deliver through balls to attackers, while he is also combative in the tackle.
McGinn’s battle on Sunday will be against Granit Xhaka, who has had a poor start to the Premier League season and has come under criticism from fans and pundits for his lack of discipline. Xhaka can dominate games but also makes silly errors that can be costly for his team. He will look to cut down on that aspect and needs to try a different approach against the duo of Grealish and McGinn.
Nicolas Pepe vs Neil Taylor
The big summer signing for the Gunners was winger Nicolas Pepe, who came to the Premier League on the back of a good season with Lille where he scored 23 goals last season. The pacey winger has taken time to adjust to the pace and physical nature of the Premier League but is bound to come good.
That could very well happen against Villa on Sunday but he will have to work hard to do well as he will be up against a strong and experienced left-back in Neil Taylor, who has started all five games in the Premier League so far.