The Premier League is going to throw up a heavyweight clash at the weekend when Arsenal travel to Villa Park to take on Unai Emery’s side.
Aston Villa beat Arsenal home and away last term, many thought it cost them the Premier League title, so they will be well aware of what is facing them this Saturday evening.
Arsenal beat Wolves 2-0 for their Premier League opener, whilst debutant Amadou Onana scored, won Man of the Match and helped Villa win at West Ham United.
The Champions League outfit paid a reasonable transfer fee to Everton to bring the 22-year-old to the Midlands in what was a statement of intent capture.
Nearly every club up and down the land need that midfielder to enhance their squad, with Arsenal still trying to sign Mikel Merino, only 12 months after paying a club-record fee for Declan Rice.
Even if the London club’s midfield improved over the last 12 months, there is still always room to go to another level.
Ian Wright claimed that Onana was a player very much wanted by Arsenal prior to his transfer to Villa and he certainly has the quality in his locker to do so – Wright previously hailed Villa for signing Onana and Ian Maatsen.
The former striker stated that Onana has ‘great ability’ and now he can showcase his stuff going forward because he is playing with better players, as he told Premier League Productions (17/08/24 at 7:55 pm).
But Wright stated that he ‘could see why’ there was interest from Arsenal in Onana because he has the skill set to play for a Mikel Arteta team.
Amadou Onana scores on Aston Villa debut
“We are talking about somebody who knows the Premier League very well,” said Wright.
“Onana has been playing in and around the bottom of the Premier League. But he is at the top end now, with players where he can go forward and do his stuff. He has great ability and a great engine.
“I know Arsenal were interested in him at one stage. I could see why. When you look at the players he has around him and to go on knowing exactly what he has to do, it seems very easy for him.”
Amadou Onana v Declan Rice
This is going to be a huge battle at Villa Park. Rice is one of the best midfielders in the league and Villa are going to need a lot, plus more, to stop him.
If they do that, then there is every chance they can get something from the game, with more pressure on Arteta and his players.
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Arsenal narrowly missed out on the Premier League title to Manchester City last season and Pep Guardiola’s side have won their opening match, so there is no room for any slip-ups from those in north London.
That’s why there is more pressure on them to win the weekend fixture, but with Villa in the Champions League, this is also their chance now to stay with the elite and prove that they aren’t going anywhere.
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