2. Watch The Counter Attack
It has been a week of counter attacking hell for Arsenal. Their pockets picked would probably have been picked less if they had just spent the whole week on the London Tube. But looking beyond this week, being hit by counter attacks has been a recurring issue for the Gunners, causing them to throw away points in games despite seemingly being in control, for example throwing away a 2 goal lead at home to Fulham in November, or conceding 2 goals in the final minutes in a 2-0 home defeat to Swansea in December. Stealing the game on the break will more than likely be Paul Lambert's plan heading into the game tomorrow. He would be silly not to; Arsenal are clearly weak in that department and his own team possesses a truckload of pace, particularly as Gabriel Agbonlahor and Charles N'Zogbia are expected to be fit. Those players are just as notable for their pace as Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen is notbable for his sheer lack of it. That and Arsenal's progligacy in front of goal presents Lambert with the ingredients of the perfect game plan. With Arsenal's record in the first half of games being sketchy this season, Villa will probably feel they could steal the lead before half time. If that happens Arsenal will have to chase the game, leaving the home fans with the recurring nightmare of being exposed at the back.