Regrets? Mikel Arteta definitely has a few, starting with Arsenal’s two defeats against Aston Villa last season. “They scored and we didn’t. Very simple,” was the manager’s analysis of both matches that saw Unai Emery’s side complete the double over his former club for the first time since the inaugural Premier League season in 1992-3.
Arteta was suspended for the 1-0 defeat at Villa Park – where his side return on Saturday evening – in December after being booked celebrating Declan Rice’s 97th-minute winner against Luton a few days earlier and admitted it had been a frustrating experience that he doesn’t want to repeat. “I didn’t enjoy it one bit,” Arteta said. “The moment I love the most during the week, you are building everything to get to that moment on the grass next to the players.”
