There is a rather uncanny symmetry happening in regards to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. AOC had impressed during the pre season and was taking similar steps forward to Aaron Ramsey. On the first day of the season Chamberlain had already chalked up an assist to his name before suffering from a knee injury that would write off the first half of his season. He returns tonight against the last

It has felt like an eternity since we last beat Tottenham in the FA Cup, the football has been replaced with football rumour and nobody wants that (actually many prefer it to the football which is odd)

As Weekends go, it should stay as far away from Carlsberg as possible. Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United all won which means an Arsenal victory is the only result that will put us back at the top of the table.

Aston Villa have had an awful time of it at home this season and our away record is the best in the league. Even with those bold statistics in my face, I still have some concerns about the game. To be honest I usually get worried about away matches regardless of the quality of opposition.

These are the type of away matches that need to be won if we are to maintain a title challenge and we have done just that this season hence the away record.

The nine day break would have given the players a physical boost but I wonder if our momentum will be interrupted at all. We played some of our best football of the season against Tottenham even if Timmy’s set up allowed us to showcase our talents.

It should be somewhat of a different team to that day. Ramsey, Bendtner and Walcott aside, it is pretty much a full squad of players who have been used regularly this season.

There is a rather uncanny symmetry happening in regards to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. AOC had impressed during the pre season and was taking similar steps forward as Aaron Ramsey. On the first day of the season Chamberlain had already chalked up an assist to his name before suffering from a knee injury that would write off the first half of his season. He returns tonight against the side who he last played a senior match against.

It is highly unlikely that he will start the match but hopefully he will get on the pitch at some point. My good friend @RoxyArms has made a song (The video is done by yours truly) for Chamberlain which seemed to go down well with the main man himself.

Back to the game, I am interested to know how our midfield will look like. Mesut Özil nice and rested will return so the manager could have a choice of Rosicky or Gnabry unless Cazorla is out with injury.

Giroud is back in the team and hopefully he will look fresh after having a few games off through injury. What is the betting he gets on the scoresheet tonight. Check out the football specials at PaddyPower.com

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up:

As good as Serge Gnabry is and will be, I must say, I would quite like to see us start with Rosicky, Cazorla, Özil, Wilshere and Arteta in the same side. If we need to add some more pace and power then Chamberlain and Gnabry would be great options.

I haven’t even mentioned Lukas Podolski as yet but given Arsene’s comments, he isn’t quite match fit as yet. So we might see a late appearance from him once again.

Three points is a must tonight.

PS – Check out the ‘Mr Ox’ video if you haven’t already heard it.