Many journalists went with stories along the lines of: "it goes from bad to worse" following our humbling by German Champions-elect Bayern Munich on Tuesday night. The home leg was our only hope and we now go to Munich needing to score at least 3. Near on impossible. However I don't think its quite as critical as its being made out to be. It was simply a case of us being outclassed by the best team in Europe. I mentioned before they had four stars above their badge, after this season it could well be five.
The news out of Arsenal this morning is no good defensively as it seem Bacary Sagna has a knee injury and will definitely miss this game, so it seems Jenkinson will be stepping in. On the plus side Monreal will return to the left after Vermaelen acted as a make shift left back on Tuesday. The Spaniard seems to be holding his own in the league at the moment, he's a proper no nonsense defender which is what we need. So I imagine the team will be something like: SZCZ, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Monreal, Wilshere, Arteta, Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski, Giroud.
Aston VIlla haven't played some bad football this season they just don't get the job done and this season that's cost them dearly. Obviously their danger men are top scorer Christian Benteke who given half a chance will find the back of the net. Along with him Wiemann can also find the net. Apart from that there is the out of sorts N'Zogbia and then Agbonlahor who I expect will be benched. Villa's problem is clearly defensive though as they have the worst goal difference in the league, much of that could be down to the raft of injured defenders they have at the moment but that makes it better for us. It's a game where we really need to win and could easily unload on them.
Ahead of the huge 6 pointer at Shite Hart Lane next weekend and then another tricky game against Everton, 3 points this weekend is vital. COYG!
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Villa
