MATCH FACTS AND STATS (Courtesy of OPTA)
1. In his last three starts against Villa, Welbeck has managed to find the back of the net three times.
2. The Gunners have scored five goals in the last two meetings against Villa in the Premier League, all between the 32nd and 36th minutes.
3. Arsenal have not managed to win three Premier League games in a row this season.
4. Olivier Giroud has scored four goals in his last five Premier League outings.
5. Christian Benteke has scored three goals in four Premier League appearances against Arsenal.
6. It’s been eight hours and 42 minutes of Premier League football since Villa last scored.
7. Villa are currently on a five game run without finding the back of the net, they have never gone six in their history.
8. Villa have hit just 60 shots on target this season, fewer than any other side in the league.
9. Only Chelsea and Manchester United (12 each) have earned more points at the Emirates than Villa (11) in the Premier League (W3, D2, L3)
10. Only Derby (10 in 2007-08) have scored fewer goals after 22 matches of a Premier League season than Aston Villa have managed this campaign (11).
FORM GUIDE (LAST SIX GAMES)
Arsenal: DWWLWW
Aston Villa: DLDDLL
WHO WE’D LIKE TO SIGN
Fabian Delph. We could with a tenacious holding midfielder just in front of the back four and the England international fits the bill.
WHO TO BOO
No one in particular, I must say.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Anthony Taylor. Refereed two games of our so far this season – the 1-1 draw with Leicester back in August and the 3-2 defeat to Stoke in early December. 74 yellow and 3 red cards issued to date.
