Aston Villa vs. Arsenal: Preview

Listen, if you don’t realize that Aston Villa versus Arsenal has become a premier league derby, then you are in for a rude awakening.

Aston Villa versus Arsenal became a derby as soon as Villa stole Unai Emery from Villarreal some seasons ago, and gave him the reins at Villa Park. This bear in mind was shortly after the Spaniard was sacked at the Emirates in the 2019 season after an underwhelming start to the 2019/20 season and losing Arsenal’s one chance at a European trophy against arch rivals, Chelsea.

Here is where it gets ironic, his replacement since then is Spanish compatriot, Mikel Arteta who ever since replacing Emery, has raised Arsenal’s stock to that of a consistent premier league title challenger. Hence, their upcoming meeting, just like their previous meetings in the league last season, has been all about both managers trying to prove themselves as the better manager.

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For Mikel Arteta, though not coming out to say it publicly; getting a win over his predecessor only goes far to prove the Arsenal head hierarchy right for putting him in charge and staying patient with him after 2 consecutive seasons of finishing 8th. For the former Arsenal and current Aston Villa boss, it is subconsciously giving his former bosses the ‘you don’t know what you’ve got until you’ve lost him’ treatment if he manages to defeat Arteta again, like he did last season.

Comparing both managers’ stint as the current manager of their respective clubs, Unai Emery was able to do great work with Aston Villa in just under 2 seasons of being appointed. That’s putting into account how Aston Villa were facing serious threats of relegation while being managed by Liverpool icon, Steven Gerrard. In Unai Emery’s full season, he challenged the premier league’s biggest, and won the race to the Champions League.

However, that is a different account of how Mikel Arteta started his Arsenal coaching career, with the Spaniard finishing in 8th place on two separate occasions and based on rumors at the time, was facing a potential sack.

Flash-forward to today, Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta are ready to go head to head once more, with their respective sides a Champions League playing team, equal on points tally after winning their first opening game.

With Aston Villa having the home advantage, Arsenal have a lot of work to do heading to Villa Park if they hope to come out with all 3-points. Are they going for revenge or to prove a point? Either way, the pressure isn’t on Aston Villa but on Arsenal. For both managers, it is a little bit of the two.