Mikel Arteta anticipates big test for Arsenal against high-flying Aston Villa

Arsenal are eager to secure a victory and gain revenge for their defeat in the reverse fixture earlier in the month. That loss still lingers, and the Gunners understand the importance of putting things right on home soil.

With Arsenal currently sitting two points ahead of Manchester City in the Premier League, the stakes are high, and a win is viewed as essential to maintaining their slender advantage at the top end of the table.

Arteta has been open about the difficulty of the task, acknowledging that Aston Villa arrive in north London in sensational form.

The visitors have won their last 11 matches across all competitions and have produced a series of eye-catching performances against some of Europe's top teams.

Their current run has fuelled belief within the squad, and Villa are determined to extend that streak by beating Arsenal for the second time this month.

The Villans have climbed to third position in the Premier League standings, only three points behind the Gunners.

"We have a really tough match. We know their level, what they are doing, but it's a beautiful game as well to prepare and play," Arteta told Arsenal Media.

"They merit to be there. Look at what they are doing and how consistent they've been, and what Unai has done with the club. I think they fully deserve that credit because they are doing it on the pitch where you have to show your level.

"We'll watch it back. I have a few ideas and things that we have to do better. It was quite cruel as well, the way we lost it, but we'll learn from it." 

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