Arsenal will be looking to return to winning ways on Saturday when they take on Aston Villa in the Premier League.
After their frustrating 3-1 defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday, Arsenal were bumped off top spot in the Premier League for the first time since early November, topping off a difficult few weeks for Mikel Arteta's side. The defeat left Arsenal without a win in their last four games, losing three and drawing one in that time.
Arsenal still have a game in hand on City who are now ahead of the Gunners on goal difference, but they must rediscover their winning form soon if they want to remain in the title race. Arteta could remain without key midfielder Thomas Partey for the clash against Aston Villa on Saturday after the Ghanaian missed the City game with an injury.
READ MORE: Pep Guardiola has shown Mikel Arteta how to change Arsenal tactics to claim Premier League title
So, could Arsenal get back to winning ways on Saturday? Let's take a look.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal score predicted by simulation
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that the hosts could line up in a 4-4-2 formation, with their line-up as follows: Martinez; Young, Chambers, Konsa, Digne; Ramsey, Kamara, Luiz, Buendia; Watkins, Bailey.
We predict that the Gunners could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Odegaard, Xhaka; Trossard, Nketiah, Saka.
Arsenal began the game sluggishly, with both William Saliba and Gabriel picking up yellows in the first 15 minutes after the Gunners were dispossessed in their half. Despite this, they still managed to create some decent chances, and they came close to an opener just before the break through Leandro Trossard.
Buakyo Saka and Ben White exchanged passes down the right to break forward, with the latter being found on the overlap to break towards goal. Trossard darted towards the front post to reach White's cross, but his powerful strike was well saved by former Arsenal man Emiliano Martinez.
Aaron Ramsdale was called into action just after the restart, with the keeper making a fantastic double save to deny Ollie Watkins from close range. The game hung in the balance as Arsenal struggled to find the first goal of the game, and they came close once again in the 74th minute through Gabriel Martinelli.
Playing through the middle, Martinelli used his pace to latch onto a long ball forward and skip past his marker. Through on goal, the Brazilian took aim for the bottom corner, but Martinez reacted fantastically to palm his effort around the post and keep the score level.
Not many more chances fell the Gunners' way, and the hosts held out to limit Arsenal to just one point at Villa Park.
FIFA 23 predicted score: Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
Here are the full-time match stats:
FIFA 23 predicts that Arsenal's slump could continue on Saturday, with the Gunners drawing 0-0 with Aston Villa in the simulation. The Gunners struggled to perform in front of goal in a cagey affair, with a draw far from ideal for Arteta's side.
What do you think the final score will be between Arsenal and Villa on Saturday? Let us know in the comments.
READ NEXT:
- Mikel Arteta facing headache amid Thomas Partey injury update as Arsenal suffer familiar problem
- Why Ederson was not sent off for time wasting or penalty incident during Arsenal vs Man City
- 'Men against boys' - National media react as Man City beat Arsenal in major title clash
- Arsenal have been asked the ultimate Premier League title question after Man City take advantage
- Arsenal's next five fixtures compared to Manchester City, Man Utd, Newcastle and Tottenham