It hardly needs saying that ithas been a horrendous week for Arsenal.
Home defeats by Blackburn and Bayern Munich in separate cup competitions have left Arsene Wenger's side on the brink of an eighth season without a trophy.
With the way their season has collapsed, their realistic priority is to qualify for nextseason's Champions League by finishing in the Premier League's top four.
I don't foresee any imminent threat to Wenger's tenure but the next month will be ashard for him and Arsenal as the last week has been. Before visiting Bayern in thesecond leg of their Champions League tie, they face two rivals for a top-four finish - Tottenham and Everton.
Saturday's home game against struggling Aston Villawould therefore appear to be the perfect antidote to Arsenal's troubles. Villa have a poor record in this fixture, although they have fared a little better since theGunners moved to the Emirates.
It will be interesting to see how Wenger freshens up theside, particularly a defence that's looked so vulnerable. Arsenal also need to get the crowd behind them by starting well, which they haven't been doing. They'vetrailed at half time this season as much as they've gone into the interval ahead,but their second-half record is unrivalled.
That could be a concern for Villa, who have tended to falter in the second half of matches this season. There was a rare exception in theirlast game, a much-needed win over West Ham that lifted them out of the relegation zone.
Manager Paul Lambert has said Villa must be prepared for "12 cup finals" as they battle for survival. Anything from this game or their next one, against Manchester City, would be considered a bonus but they then face twoof their relegation rivals, Reading and QPR.
The next few weeks, it seems, will have a considerable bearing on the end-of-season outcome for both Arsenal and Villa.

Aston Villa will bear the burden that goes with that horrendous week today.

God help arsenal

Freiburger: Aston Villa will bear the burden that goes with that horrendous week today.

forget... Aston villa will only add salt to their injury I trust benteke nw

Red-Light:
forget... Aston villa will only add salt to their injury I trust benteke nw

lol

As an Arsenal fan, I hope we lose. Rubbish Wenger!

With the Good performance of Totenham & Everton. . .I dont believe arsenal can Qualify for Next Season champions League. *no insult pls. Just from my calculations.*

tunapawizzy: THIS SHOULD BE AN EASY FOR ONE FOR ASTON VILLA,,,BENTEKE TO MURDER DEM

vin4ever: With the Good performance of Totenham & Everton. . .I dont believe arsenal can Qualify for Next Season champions League. *no insult pls. Just from my calculations.*

u dnt need calculator to calculate that nw.... Its obvious in wenger we trust

If only it were Baston Villa!!!

Anyways,Benteke still got the B-mojo

Am not going to watch anymore of Arsenal's match until Wenger stops seating on that Reserve Bench Seats.

Just realised that if Bradford win the Carling Cup they could be in the
Europa draw with Arsenal next Season #embarassing (for Bradford)

Duke_Nija: As an Arsenal fan, I hope we lose. Rubbish Wenger!

you're a joke. what kind of a fan are you ?

COYG. lets the 3 points today

aieromon: If only it were Baston Villa!!!

Anyways,Benteke still got the B-mojo

baston wetin?

arsenal all d way?

chucksbadt: if you think arsenal will loose *again* like this post

but bros y dont u go cary albanjiri bowl 4 u street since u av turn to beggar on nairaland?

chucksbadt: if you think arsenal will draw like this post

shey na by force to like a post?

Johnnoah1st: but bros y dont u go cary albanjiri bowl 4 u street since u av turn to beggar on nairaland? shey na by force to like a post?

na by force 2 comment....#ode

No level Arsenal....

Lest I forget, Benteke's name start with 'B' arrrrggghhhh another nightmare today.

torres2: Lest I forget, Benteke's name start with 'B' arrrrggghhhh another nightmare today.

bayern munich, black burn and now BENTEKE

stan kroenke go and hug transformer

diaby starts

Game on!

giroud and cazorla una pack well

arghhhhh jacky should have crossed to theo

goooaaal

oohhh santiii cazorrlaa!!!!!