ARSENAL fans, buckle up. Unai Emery is coming back to haunt you. AGAIN.
The former Gunners gaffer rolls into the Emirates tonight with his red-hot Villa side, and let's be honest – Mikel Arteta must be bricking it.
Eleven wins on the bounce. A club record equalled. And just 24 days ago, Emery's boys ripped Arsenal's hearts out at Villa Park with a 95th-minute dagger from Emi Buendia.
OUCH.
Arteta's got the hump
You could see it in his face during the press conference. The Spanish boss is FUMING about that defeat. Tried to play it cool, mind you.
"It was quite cruel the way we lost it," Arteta admitted. "I have a few ideas and things we have to do better."
A FEW ideas? Mate, you need a MASTERPLAN. Because Emery has had your number since day one.
Here's the stat that should terrify every Gooner: since getting the sack from Arsenal in 2019, Emery has faced Arteta EIGHT times. Won three, drawn four, lost just TWO.
That's absolutely shocking for a club spending the kind of dosh Arsenal have splashed.
Watkins calls boss a 'GENIUS'
Meanwhile, over at Villa, the vibes are IMMACULATE.
After Saturday's comeback at Chelsea, Ollie Watkins couldn't contain himself.
"He's a tactical genius, let me say that!" the striker gushed. "When I came on, he brought Sancho and Morgan Rogers on the wing, put Tielemans in the 10 – we had an extra man. GENIUS."
Strong words. But when you're on an 11-game winning streak, you can say whatever you want.
What's sneaky about Emery? He's playing mind games. Asked if Villa can win the title, he went all humble.
"Not really. We're competing for Europe, not with Manchester City and Arsenal."
PULL THE OTHER ONE, Unai. You're THREE points behind. You beat them three weeks ago. You're absolutely in this.
Arsenal's defence is a MESS
Look, Arsenal scraped past Brighton 2-1 on Saturday. Job done. But it should've been 5-1.
The problem? Injuries everywhere. Ben White – OUT. Calafiori – OUT. Timber – DOUBTFUL. Declan Rice had to play RIGHT-BACK against Brighton. A midfielder. At right-back. In a title race.
That's not a plan. That's DESPERATION.
Villa will fancy their chances. Watkins has scored SIX goals in 11 appearances against Arsenal. He loves playing them. Proper bogey player.
The verdict
This has DRAW written all over it.
Arsenal are knackered, patched up, and facing a side that hasn't lost since October. Villa won't blow them away at the Emirates, but they'll get something.
A point suits Emery just fine. He can keep playing the underdog card while staying within touching distance.
For Arteta? Anything less than three points and the pressure CRANKS UP. Man City are breathing down their necks. Liverpool aren't dead yet.
Kick-off 20:15. Get the beers in. This is gonna be TASTY.
