“Have to do better” – Arteta ready for tough Villa clash

Arsenal will be hoping to pick up where they left off last season when they tackle their first away game of the 24/25 campaign although a clash with Aston Villa poses a serious threat to this year’s unbeaten run on the road.

The Gunners head to Villa Park having won eight of nine away matches this year, the only exception being a 0-0 draw against Manchester City, but twice came unstuck against Unai Emery’s side last season.

John McGinn’s first half strike settled December’s tight clash and Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins were on target at the Emirates in April as Mikel Arteta’s players stuttered in the home straight chasing a first title since 2004.

The defeats were as damaging as they were painful and have been analysed closely ahead of tomorrow’s showdown.

“They scored and we didn’t, it’s very simple,” reflected Arteta in his pre-game press conference.

“In two games we had an enormous amount of chances to do that, and that was the big difference. There were other details for sure which we have analysed, and we will have to do better tomorrow because they are a really good side with a good coach.

“It’s one of the toughest places to go for sure,” he added. “We know that, we’ve prepared really well to understand what we have to do to go there and win the game.”

Asked why his side found it so difficult against Villa, the boss continued: “They dominate every aspect of the game, when you give them space to run they are phenomenal, when there is no space and they have to find it they can do that.

“In any restarts or set-pieces, they are at it, and that’s why they did what they did.”

Having had a tough time of it at Arsenal, Unai Emery has become something of a thorn in his successor’s side since moving to pastures new. In addition to last year’s wins with Villa his Villarreal side knocked the Gunners out at the quarter-final stages of the Europa League in 2021.

Arteta was asked if getting one over his compatriot was a personal matter. “I don’t do things personally,” he replied. “I just have the will to win and prepare the team in the best possible way, regardless of who we are playing against.”

He also made clear his side can take confidence from the face they’ve become a powerhouse away from the Emirates.

“That we’ve done it, that’s [where we get] the confidence,” he said. “Now we have to show it again. Tomorrow we go there with that belief and being very clear in what we want to do and what we have to do to earn the right to win the game, and we will certainly try to do that tomorrow.”

Having been forced to sell players in June to adhere to Profit and Sustainability Rules, Villa have recruited in a number of areas in preparation for their first season in the Champions League. The kicked-off the new campaign with a win at West Ham but Emery feels the new faces are still bedding in.

“Some players are adapting to our idea but not completely like I want yet,” he told his pre-game press conference. “Tomorrow we have to get our best performances individually and collectively to beat them.”

He added: “Tomorrow is a very difficult three points against one of the favourite teams this year to win the league. They are improving a lot and they are being very competitive, more and more.

“It’s a big challenge for us tomorrow. We are excited, we are motivated, but we have to show again our capacity. The challenge is motivating for us and our supporters to face them.”