Pre-Season Focus: Arsenal
Arsenal were one of last season’s surprise packages when they challenged and some would argue should have beaten Manchester City to the Premier League title.
The Gunners, one of six sides who have been ever-present in the Premier League will be looking to go one better this season and win some silverware under Mickel Arteta.
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Nicknames: The Gunners
Founded: October 1886, as Dial Square
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Last Season: 2nd
2022/23 Top Scorer(s): Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka (15)
Played for both Villa & Arsenal
Emiliano Martínez
Born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Emiliano Martínez joined Arsenal as a teenager from Independiente in 2010. The goalkeeper spent eight seasons with The Gunners making just 15 appearances. He also had six loan spells including loans at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Reading.
The Argentine made his first Premier League appearance in the 2016-17 season when he replaced the injured Bernd Leno. He went on to win the FA Cup and Charity shield with Arsenal before moving to Aston Villa in September 2020.
The deal said to be worth in the region of £20 million has proved to be a success for both Aston Villa and Martínez. The club have gone on to qualify for Europe last season while Martínez played a crucial part in Argentina winning the World Cup.
Paul Merson
Paul ‘Magic’ Merson came through the academy at Arsenal signing his first contract in 1984. Following a loan spell with Brentford in 1987 where he made 7 appearances, Merson became an important member of George Graham’s successful side in the 1980s and went on to make 327 appearances with The Gunners.
Despite well-documented off-the-field problems, Merson won the old First Division twice, The FA Cup, League Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup during 12 years in North London.
Following a one-year spell with Middlesbrough, Merson stated he was home-sick and wanted a move back down south and that’s when he joined Villa for around £6.75million.
‘Magic Mers’ became a fan favourite at Villa Park during a four-year spell at the club with Merson describing it as some of the best years during his playing career.
Other players include Calum Chambers, Martin Keown, David Platt and Kevin Richardson.
Head to Head
Aston Villa: 69
Arsenal: 87
Drawn: 45
Last Meeting: Aston Villa 2-4 Arsenal (18th February 2023
Last Win: Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal (6th February 2021)
2023/24 fixtures: H – 09/12/23 – A – 13/04/24
Confirmed Transfers
IN: Kai Havertz (£60 million).
OUT: Granit Xhaka (£22 million), Pablo Marí (£4.1 million), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Released).
Transfer Rumours
IN: Declan Rice from West Ham (£100 million), Jurrien Timber from Ajax (£35 million).
OUT: Jorginho to Al-Ahli/Al-Nassr (£21 million), Thomas Partey to Juventus (£30 million).
Pre-Season
Arsenal kicked off their pre-season with a behind-closed-doors friendly against Watford on Saturday which ended 1-1.
They will now head to Germany where they will play Nurnberg before heading Stateside. The Gunners will meet Premier League rivals Manchester United in New York on July 22nd before taking on La Liga Champions Barcelona on the 26th in Los Angeles.
Arsenal will finish their pre-season with a game against Monaco at the Emirates on August 2nd.