Ødegaard to put Gerrard on brink of early sack
Premier League table toppers Arsenal welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates on Wednesday evening in a quest to maintain their superb start to the 2022/2023 campaign. The Gunners have yet to drop a point, which stands in stark contrast to the trials and tribulations Steven Gerrard has overseen for the visitors. The Birmingham outfit lost to then bottom side West Ham United at the weekend, arousing further doubts in the stands about the manager's future at the club. Read our preview here:
An Øde to Martin
Though difficult to pick one particular highlight from the first four matches under Mikel Arteta this term, the head coach will have been delighted with the goalscoring return of Martin Ødegaard. The Norwegian playmaker has hit three, shaking off a noticeable reluctance at times to shoot around the edge of the box when it seems to be the better option. Elsewhere, Thomas Partey and Oleksandr Zinchenko both picked up knocks in training before last weekend's narrow win over neighbours Fulham, and given the quick turnaround of games, they can expect to not be risked until the following fixture with Manchester United. A number of other first team players are back available, giving Arteta the age-old dilemma of whether to stick or twist with a winning outfit.
Elimination Chambers
The Villains have looked defensively frail in every fixture this season, undermining their sometimes decent attacking play. Former Gunner Calum Chambers hasn't been a mainstay in the heart of the backline, though did himself no favours in the defeat against the Iron alongside his teammates, putting in a distinctly underwhelming display. Tyrone Mings could be restored after suffering from an illness on Saturday, whilst Gerrard will be tempted to shuffle the deck in midfield to make his charges more solid when possession is lost and more offensively sharp in the final third. Emi Buendía and Leon Bailey are line for recalls to help with the latter.
Betting tip
Casumo have odds of 3.80 for Ødegaard to net again in another Arsenal victory.
Bet Martin Ødegaard to score anytime & Arsenal to win on Betway
