South African broadcasting icon Robert Marawa has picked out the match of the second week of Premier League action with Aston Villa vs Arsenal his selection.
The match will kick off at 18:30 (SAST) on Saturday 24 August 2023 and can be viewed on SuperSport on DSTV or streamed on Showmax.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal top Premier League match
Marawa said that his choice came down to a toss up between Brighton vs Manchester United and Aston Villa’s meeting with Arsenal.
“I’ve had a tough time selecting my game of choice for Matchweek 2,” Marawa said.
“My initial thought was to talk about the Brighton and Hove Albion game against Manchester United, for obvious reasons. Brighton got those three goals last weekend; they got the three points and kept a clean sheet and topped the table after Matchweek 1, so that would have been the obvious choice.
“Manchester United also took care of business by winning their opening game, and their debutant Joshua Zirkzee scored and got them all three points, so it’s set up t be a tasty affair.”
The choice
However, Marawa would land on the match between two sides who finished in the top four last term.
“But after much thought, it’s the Aston Villa vs Arsenal game that provides the spark for me. A little bit of history. Aston Villa won away from home against West Ham last weekend. They scored an early goal thanks to Onana.
“They went in at half time level at 1-1 and then they bounced back from the game in the last 10 minutes thanks to Villa youngster Duran, who has been touted to be heading in the opposite direction to Arsenal.
“Arsenal played at home, won 2-0, and kept a clean sheet. The goals were scored by Havertz and Saka and it was a clinical performance from the Gunners. What stands out from me for this fixture is the history of this fixture that gives it that oomph. You look back at the 2022/23 season. Arsenal were five points behind Man City and chasing the title. They failed to win it.”
Aston Villa vs Arsenal smacks of unfinished business
Last season Aston Villa broke Arsenal’s long unbeaten streak and Mikel Arteta will remember as will his opposite number, former Gunner’s boss Unai Emery.
“Last season they were a mere two points behind, and they still couldn’t win the league. And they desperately want to end that 20-year league draught that has been plaguing them. The man that replaced Arsene Wenger once upon a time is now Villa’s manager. Unai Emery was hastily sacked by Arsenal. Now he will be on the opposition bench this weekend knowing very well that last season Villa were the only team to do the league double over Arsenal. They broke Arsenal’s unbeaten streak last season, so for all these reasons, this game serves as the ultimate spectacle for the weekend and stands out as my pick of Matchweek 2. It is also the first time this season that two teams who finished in the top four last season are facing off against one another. So we should be in for a treat.”
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