Focus: Why Ozil and Ramsey will be key to breaching the Aston Villa bunker

Perhaps embracing a siege mentality, Arsenal appear stronger than ever in the midst of another injury crisis. Their opponents this weekend, Aston Villa, will most likely play in a similarly cowered shape as in the 0-0 draw at home to Manchester City last month, and as such the probing performances of Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil will be crucial.

Ramsey has averaged 87.5 passes per game in his last two, having returned to his natural position - central midfield. His dynamism and attacking intent in this role was crucial to unlocking Sunderland’s deep defence (32% possession), as the Welshman made four key passes, assisting the second goal and scoring the third. Ozil has scored or assisted in nine consecutive league matches; there is no need to discuss his talents at length.

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Villa posted just 39% possession against Man City, sitting in a narrow 4-5-1 formation that looked to restrict space in the final third. Interestingly, the central midfield three made just two tackles and one interception between them, highlighting the extent of their cautiousness and shimmying, cagey model. Remi Garde told his players to stay compact and make their opponents force the opening.

Their key performer that day was Carlos Sanchez (2.9 tackles, 2.3 interceptons per game), who stayed close to Yaya Toure and essentially man-marked the Ivorian out of the game (zero chances created). It is likely that Garde will instruct him to perform in a similar role against Ozil, making this the most important head-to-head on Sunday. With Ramsey sewing the lines together and threading passes in the final third, Villa will most likely find holding Arsenal at bay considerably more difficult than Manchester City.

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