[Teams] Arsenal vs Aston Villa: Diaby & Giroud Start

Arsenal welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates on Saturday afternoon looking to bounce back after another disappointing week.

After being knocked out of the FA Cup at the hands of Blackburn Rovers last weekend our trophy hopes for another season were all but ended with a 3-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich in the first leg of our Champions League last 16 clash on Tuesday, so victory this afternoon is vital if we’re to salvage anything from this season and finish in the top four.

Boss Arsene Wenger has been forced to bring in Carl Jenkinson for the game after Bacary Sagna was ruled out with a knee injury. Olivier Giroud is recalled to the side with Lukas Podolski dropping to the bench. Abou Diaby also starts in midfield with Aaron Ramsey the man to make way.

Here are the confirmed line-ups:

Arsenal Team

Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Monreal, Arteta, Diaby, Wilshere, Walcott, Giroud, Cazorla

Subs: Mannone, Koscielny, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Gervinho, Podolski

Aston Villa Team

Guzan, Lowton, Clark, Baker, Bennett, Westwood, Delph, Agbonlahor, Weimann, N’Zogbia, Benteke

Subs: Marshall, El Ahmadi, Holman, Sylla, Bowery, Dawkins, Lichaj

Now we’ve seen the teams what’s your score prediction for the game? Get involved in the comments section below.

One Comment

1. 

   Mooqs

   February 23, 2013 at 2:37 pm

   Why Wenger is still putting up with Diaby in this team is asonishing, why not just start Arteta with Rosicky and WIlshere in the midfield???

   Reply