Saturday saw a toe-to-toe battle between Aston Villa and Arsenal, even though they were playing 170 miles, and starting five hours, apart. You could argue that Villa's was the most impressive win, they were in control against Nottingham Forest after Ollie Watkins' rocket to put them ahead on the stroke of half-time. Battling Bournemouth ensured Arsenal did not have it all their own way until Declan Rice scored twice from midfield.
Saturday saw a toe-to-toe battle between Aston Villa and Arsenal, even though they were playing 170 miles, and starting five hours, apart.
You could argue that Villa's was the most impressive win, they were in control against Nottingham Forest after Ollie Watkins' rocket to put them ahead on the stroke of half-time.
There were many similarities with the ties. Battling Bournemouth ensured Arsenal did not have it all their own way until Declan Rice scored twice from midfield.
After that it was never really in doubt. Villa also relied on their own marauding box-to-box midfielder, John McGinn, to score a couple to secure the points for Villa.
You can sometimes gauge teams by how many players the opposition would want in their line-up in place of who they have already.
Arsenal would not swap many with Villa. Would Mikel Arteta take McGinn to replace Rice? Probably not, though as a Scot it pains me to say so.
Morgan Rogers or Eberechi Eze would be a tough call, but there is one player that Arsenal would definitely prefer and that is Watkins instead of Viktor Gyokeres.
With six goals in his past seven games, Watkins is the one player Arsenal would not only want but also maybe fear a little if he keeps scoring as the season progresses.
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Category: General Sports
