This is starting to become a cliché, for every game it seems that it has become a “must win” game for Arsenal. In a strange premier league campaign none of the so-called big 4 has won a game in recent times. This phenomenon has allowed Arsenal to hang on in the title race, meanwhile Aston Villa has managed to put a run together and now find themselves in 3rd place and in the running for a champions league spot next season.

Arsene Wenger has ruled the Villa out of the premiership title, but does realise that he has a real fight on his hand to preserve Arsenal’s status as a big club. Missing out on the champions league will not be an unmitigated Leeds type of disaster as the club’s business model does not depend on champions league money, but a disaster nonetheless it will be.

Can Arsenal win without Cesc?

So the big question is can the which personality of the schizophrenic Arsenal is going to show up this afternoon? The conditions are ideal for the better side of Arsenal to show. They have had a history of performing well under adversity and adverse does not get more than this.

The club’s talisman in Cesc Fabregas is out, there is no Walcott either, no Adebayor, and Eduardo is not quite ready yet. Villa is on a hot streak, they are confident, and playing at home. The odds should not be in Arsenal’s favour, so I would expect a good performance from the boys today.

I am intrigued to see what kind of line up Arsene is going to start with today, will he stick with Van Persie and Bendtner or will he go with 1 up front? Who’s going to replace Cesc, will it be Denilson and if so who will be on the right Eboue or Diaby? I am thinking that Arsene will go with the following;

Sagna – Djourou – Gallas – Clichy

Eboue – Song – Denilson – Nasri

van Persie – Bendtner (if available, if not then Diaby behind RVP)

Looking at this line up we should be lucky to nick a point at Villa, but the eternal optimist in me says the boys will turn up to prove a point and will win all 3 points from Aston Villa.

The team needs to be switched on for 95 minutes today, be wary of the threat posed by the pace of Young and Agbonlahor. The two main threats for Villa can also be their Achilles heel no doubt that there full of confidence but like Arsenal that confidence is fragile. The have not had good games at home, so I’d not be surprised if they are non factors this afternoon.

My prediction is an Arsenal win 1 – 2 a van Persie brace and a nervy last 10 minutes.