After a wonderful offensive display against Manchester City last time out at Etihad, the Gunners will now be welcoming the relegated side Aston Villa this Sunday.
Arsenal came from behind to equalize the game twice, and it was Alexis Sanchez’s strike which gave the Gunners a well-deserved point. With the last premier league fixture to show for this Sunday, Arsenal will be welcoming the already relegated side, Aston Villa.
Furthermore, Villa in their last premier league game were able to hold Newcastle United for a goal less draw, and the result confirmed the Magpies relegation as well. Arsenal are not showing the spirit in their recent games as they have won just 2 out of their last 6 games and have drawn 4.
Wenger’s side are hoping to steal second place from Tottenham Hotspur with a win against Villans and the Frenchman believes Wilshere should also be selected for England’s UEFA Euro 2016 campaign despite a lack of match time.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa Team News-
Arsenal will be missing three star man from the squad, namely, Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee, Aug), Mertesacker (hamstring, Aug), Welbeck (knee, Feb)
With Wilshere back in the team, it will be an interesting sight to see how Wenger will line his midfield.
For the visitors; Amavi (knee, unknown) will be missing while, the club is still in doubts over Veretout (pelvis), Richardson (calf), Agbonlahor (match fitness), Hutton (knock), Clark (knock)
Predicted Lineup-
Arsenal-
Cech
Bellerin; Gabriel; Koscielny; Monreal
Sanchez; Elneny; Cazorla; Iwobi; Ozil
Giroud
Aston Villa-
Bunn
Hutton; Richards; Clark; Toner
Ayew; Gueye; Sanchez; Westwood; Sinclair
Gestede
Stats-
- Arsenal have averaged 1.5 goals per game scored at home this season in the Barclays Premier League, their lowest return since 1994-95 (1.3).
- Aston Villa have lost nine of their last 11 meetings with the Gunners in all competitions (W1 D1).
- Arsenal have scored 14 goals without reply in the last four meetings in all competitions with Aston Villa.
- Olivier Giroud has scored in each of his last five appearances against Aston Villa in all competitions.
- The Villans have won none of their last 17 Premier League away games, losing 14 in that run. Their only win this season on the road so far was on the opening day against Bournemouth.
- Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 10 games on the final day of the season (W8 D2). The last team to beat them on the final day of a Premier League season was Birmingham City in 2005.
- Aston Villa have scored just seven goals in their last 14 Premier League road trips.
Stats via Eurosport
Tactics-
Though Aston Villa have struggled a lot this season, the team is never short of attacking options. Villans launch their attacks through their full backs who are well capable of making a strong forward run. While their midfield seems to defend deep and the team usually goes with Carlos Sanchez’s distribution. The 30-year-old Colombian professional is responsible for distribution of the ball to the flanks.
Besides Sanchez, Gueye has impressed since joining from Lille last summer, and has made the second-highest number of tackles and second-highest number of interceptions in the Premier League this season, behind Leicester’s N’Golo Kante.
Arsenal, on the other hand, will be trying to exploit Villans with their clever one-two passes. With Welbeck and Mertesacker out injured, the team doesn’t really have a very good header of the ball and therefore, Giroud will be the target man in all of their set pieces.
Prediction-
A win for Arsenal would take them to the second spot and Wenger will be hoping to grab the opportunity on the first place. Villa has nothing to lose in the fixture and hence, a loss will not be a very major blow for the side. Arsenal are the clear winners here.
4-0 Arsenal
Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday in what could prove decisive for the Gunners’ Premier League title ambitions. Arsenal sit top of the table with 61 points from 28 matches, five points clear of Manchester City, who still have a game in hand, while Chelsea occupy 7th with 45 points after being held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Burnley at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
This represents a huge opportunity for Mikel Arteta’s side to put further distance between themselves and the chasing pack before facing Brighton away on Wednesday. Chelsea arrive at the Emirates in patchy form under Liam Rosenior, who has won just two of his eight league matches since replacing Enzo Maresca in January despite an encouraging start to his tenure.
Kick-off: 4:30 GMT, Sunday, March 1, 2026
Venue: Emirates Stadium
TV: Sky Sports
Kai Havertz Returns to Haunt Former Club
Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday that Kai Havertz will train on Saturday ahead of the Chelsea clash, giving the German a chance to feature against his former employers. Havertz has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since early February, but scored the winner in Arsenal’s 1-0 Carabao Cup semi final victory over Chelsea earlier this month.
The 26 year old has endured a nightmare campaign with injuries limiting him to just 158 Premier League minutes this season, though he has still managed two goals and two assists when available. Viktor Gyokeres has flourished in Havertz’s absence, scoring twice in the 4-1 North London Derby demolition of Tottenham last weekend.
Rosenior Yet to Face Top Six Opposition
Liam Rosenior faces his first test against a top six side in the league since taking charge of Chelsea, having only faced teams sitting 7th or lower during his opening eight matches. His winning run needs proper context, given the quality of opposition, with recent dropped points against Leeds and Burnley at Stamford Bridge exposing serious vulnerabilities.
Arteta has beaten Rosenior twice already this season in the two legged Carabao Cup semi final, and the Spanish manager will fancy his chances of completing a treble over the Chelsea boss. Bukayo Saka should be fit despite limping off late against Spurs, while Ben White remains doubtful with a niggle.
Predicted Lineups: Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Disasi, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson
Also read: Kai Havertz Injury Update: Real Timeline and Medical Details Revealed!
Arsenal Dragon
Update Given Following Arsenal Injury Scare as Olivia Smith Discharged From Hospital After Being Stretchered Off During FA Cup Win Over Bristol City
Arsenal star Olivia Smith has been discharged from hospital after being stretchered off the field during their Women’s FA Cup game against Bristol City. The forward, who joined the Gunners in the summer, played just under an hour before being forced off with pictures showing a neck brace around the 21 year old at Meadow Park.
This was a worrying moment for Arsenal supporters watching on Sunday afternoon. The Canadian international went down, receiving lengthy treatment before being taken off on a stretcher as a precaution. Thankfully, the injury appears to be far less serious than initially feared.
Left Hospital Yesterday Evening
According to Arsenal reporter Tim Stillman, Olivia Smith left the hospital yesterday evening after tests were run and will return to be assessed this week ahead of the March international break. This is brilliant news for Arsenal, who cannot afford to lose Smith for any length of time, given her importance to the team.
It is believed that her involvement with Canada is still up in the air, with the Canucks facing a triple header of friendlies against Colombia, Argentina, and the United States over the coming two weeks. Arsenal’s next match sees them face London City Lionesses in mid March.
Big Boost for Champions League Hopes
With no video available for Arsenal’s cup game against Bristol City, there was huge concern surrounding Smith’s condition for those unable to attend the game at Meadow Park. Thankfully, what seemed initially to be a severe injury has turned out to be a fairly minor incident.
While Stina Blackstenius and Alessia Russo are both more than capable options to lead the line, it has been Smith who has been Renee Slegers’ favoured choice and proven to be a brilliant signing since her arrival from Liverpool. Having Smith likely available for both legs of the Chelsea Champions League quarter final is a massive boost for Arsenal’s hopes of retaining their European crown.
Arsenal
Arsenal Star Named WSL Player of the Month for January as Midfielder Continues Outstanding Form Following 400th Appearance Milestone
Kim Little has been named January’s Barclays Women’s Super League Player of the Month, recognition that follows her 400th appearance for Arsenal. The captain has made an outstanding start to 2026, completing every minute in the WSL and helping secure two clean sheets and four points from fixtures against Manchester United and Chelsea.
Little drove the midfield against United in the 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium and was again pivotal in the disciplined defensive display at Stamford Bridge that delivered that historic 2-0 win over the Blues. This is absolutely deserved recognition for one of Arsenal’s most influential players, who continues to perform at the highest level despite being 35 years old.
400th Appearance Came in Belgium
Little’s landmark 400th appearance came in Belgium as Arsenal won 4-0 at OH Leuven to close in on a Champions League London derby with Chelsea. The Scottish playmaker came on as a second half substitute in the 82nd minute, replacing Olivia Smith, to reach 400 appearances.
This achievement is even more notable given the time she spent playing in the USA and Australia during her career. Little has become one of the defining figures of the modern Arsenal era, establishing herself as an absolute legend at the club.
Chelsea Awaits in Champions League Quarterfinals
Provided nothing dramatic unfolds at Meadow Park next week, Chelsea awaits in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Arsenal hold a commanding 4-0 advantage from the first leg and are overwhelming favorites to progress to a mouth watering London derby in the last eight.
Little will be central to Arsenal’s hopes of defending their Champions League crown, with the midfielder’s experience and leadership qualities proving invaluable during the knockout stages of major competitions. Her consistent performances continue to set the standard for everyone around her.
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