Saturday’s match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Villa Park is a matchup of two out of the three undefeated clubs in the Barclays Premier League (the other is of course league-leading Chelsea).  While the two clubs both have yet to lose in league play so far this season, they have done so in different ways.  Arsenal has collected three draws out of the four league matches, while Villa has managed to win three out of their four games this season (including a victory at Liverpool last weekend).

The Gunners are not currently in the best of form, as the team from north London has failed to record a victory since defeating Beşiktaş on August 27.  The recent dip in form for Arsenal comes down to a few separate issues.  First of all, two of the Gunners most talented players, Mesut Özil and Aaron Ramsey, have not played as well as they are capable of.  Secondly, defensive issues (including the lack of a true defensive midfielder) have hurt Arsenal’s play as well.  The Gunners have let in five goals during the three matches since the win over Beşiktaş.

Villa, on the other hand, is off to a flying start in the Premier League.  The 10 points out of their first four matches gives the Birmingham-based club their best start to a league campaign in 16 years.  Forwards Gabriel Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann have both played exceptionally well, with both players scoring two goals each in the team’s four league matches this season.  Villa’s defensive record is also impressive this season, as American goalkeeper Brad Guzan has kept three clean sheets out of the four league matches.

During the 1-0 win over Liverpool last weekend, Villa’s defenders were able make superstar striker Mario Balotelli uncomfortable as possible.  Defender Philippe Senderos was a thorn in Balotelli’s side the entire match, and if Villa is to keep the Arsenal forwards quiet, the former Gunner will have to give the same treatment to Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck on Saturday.

Arsenal is undoubtedly a finesse team that enjoys plenty of possession and time to make crisp passes.  Teams have figured out that the Gunners are not a physical team and that they do get uncomfortable easily when knocked around a bit.  Much of this match’s outcome could very well come down to how physical the game ends up.

A victory at Villa Park would be crucial for Arsenal’s psyche.  If the Gunners are able to put in a solid performance, the three points just may jumpstart to their season.  Villa, alternatively, does not necessarily have to win this game.  The Villans are currently on 10 points and a loss to the Gunners would not be the end of the world.  All of the pressure appears to be on the Gunners at the moment.

Predicted Lineups

Arsenal: Wojciech Szczesny, Kieran Gibbs, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Calum Chambers, Mikel Arteta, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, Alexis Sanchez, and Danny Welbeck.

Aston Villa: Brad Guzan, Aly Cissokho, Philippe Senderos, Nathan Baker, Alan Hutton, Carlos Sanchez, Kieran Richardson, Fabian Delph, Tom Cleverley, Andreas Weimann, and Gabriel Agbonlahor.