Arteta wary of Coutinho threat as Arsenal head to Villa
LONDON : Arsenal will have to be wary of Aston Villa playmaker Philippe Coutinho in Saturday's Premier League clash but manager Mikel Arteta says he has no regrets at not signing the Brazilian.
Philippe Coutinho Sport News
Aston Villa v Arsenal: match preview
Arsenal may be tired as they travel up to Birmingham but they should not be disheartened after a battling defeat to Liverpool. Mikel Arteta’s side simply lack the strength in depth of the Reds and a striker who can finish their slick moves, Alexandre Lacazette would certainly be Jürgen Klopp’s sixth best option in attack if he were to switch allegiances. Regardless Arsenal have a good chance to continue their mission to clinch fourth spot against Aston Villa. The high likelihood of Bukayo Saka bearing down on Ashley Young feels like an avenue to instant success as Lucas Digne looks set to miss out. Villa will also be disappointed if former Gunner Callum Chambers is out with a head injury as he has proved an instant hit for Steven Gerrard. A depleted defence may not be enough though as Arteta has made a lot of noise about Arsenal’s exhaustion and if he is not just blowing smoke then Philippe Coutinho’s magic could derail the manager’s best laid plans further. Graham Searles
Mikel Arteta wary of Philippe Coutinho threat as Arsenal head to Villa
Arsenal will have to be wary of Aston Villa playmaker Philippe Coutinho in Saturday's Premier League clash but manager Mikel Arteta says he has no regrets at not signing the Brazilian. The north London club were linked with Coutinho in the January 2021 transfer window but he stayed at Barcelona and Arsenal opted instead to sign Norwegian Martin Odegaard. It has worked out well with Odegaard now flourishing at The Emirates Stadium and along with the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, helping Arsenal close in on a top-four finish and a return to the Champions League.
Philippe Coutinho has given his opinion on Arsenal amid £33 million transfer U-turn
It's not so long ago that Arsenal were crying out for a bit of creativity in their midfield. As Boxing Day of 2020 approached the Gunners sat 15th in the Premier League having failed to win in seven matches and having scored fewer goals than every team in the division bar Sheffield United, West Brom and Burnley.
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Aston Villa transfer target Luis Suarez is ‘still a world-class operator’ despite entering the twilight of his illustrious career, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
Aston Villa could sign 'world-class operator' without spending a penny
Aston Villa transfer target Luis Suarez is ‘still a world-class operator’ despite entering the twilight of his illustrious career, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
Steven Gerrard facing Aston Villa ‘headache’ over Philippe Coutinho deal
Steven Gerrard has been told he will have a “headache” trying to convince Philippe Coutinho to join Aston Villa permanently this summer.
Kevin Campbell says Villa signing Suarez could be ‘smart’
Aston Villa aren’t short of strikers with Danny Ings, Ollie Watkins, Cameron Archer and Keinan Davis on the books, but Watkins has an uncertain future due to his inconsistency and happiness, Archer may not be a first-team regular next season and Davis is expected to leave permanently after falling down the pecking order, so Steven Gerrard may need replacements.