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Wigan
Soccer: The Premiership: Arsenal, Aston
Villa
Arsenal
Last year: 2nd
Ground: Highbury
Capacity: 38,500
Manager: Arsene Wenger
(107 months: W288, D125, L85)
We say: 2nd 10-3
THE JURY is out on whether the sale of Patrick Vie ira to
Juventus after t-iine years at Highbury was a catastrophic
blunder or a well-timed bit of business, but whichever
proves to be the case, the Gunners can look forward to a
battle for second place.
Defeat to Man United in October and the end of their
incredible unbeaten run seemed to dent their confidence, but
Arsenal were winning in style by the end of the season -
even without the injured Thierry Henry.
And if Arsene Wenger was right to show his ruthless streak
by cashing in on Vieira, they might push Chelsea a bit
harder this season.
However, the loss of Edu to Valencia in May has left a
massive hole in midfield, so we may see Wenger indulge in
some serious tinkering with formations if no new faces come
in. So far, Stuttgart midflelder Aleksandr Hleb is the only
major signing.
Aston Villa
Last year: 10th
Ground: Villa Park
Capacity: 42,584
Manager: David O’Leary
(27 months: W33, D22, L31)
We say: 8th 500-1
NOTORIOUS Villains chairman ‘Deadly’ Doug Effis has
apparently had a Scrooge-like epiphany after recovering from
heart surgery over the summer, and has pledged manager David
O’Leary his full support in bringing in some new players.
O’Leary is going to need them if Vifia are to reach their
goal of a European spot this season - his side finished
tenth last term, but only three points above 14th-placed
Newcastle. He has signed Kevin Phillips, Aaron Hughes and
Patrik Berger but none seem capable of turning Villa into
European contenders.
However, the possibility of a return to form by Juan Pablo
Angel would be a major fillip for O’Leary.
The Colombian was more like Brett Angel than his usual self
last term, scoring just seven in the league (down from 16 in
2003/04) after his campaign was disrupted by a knee injury.
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