Arsenal's season looks lost after the 3-1 thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich. However, coach Arsene Wenger believes that the team can still make a run at a champions league berth for next season.
''We know we are in a position where we cannot afford to drop points and we will go into the game with a huge desire to get out the disappointments that we recently had,'' said Wenger regarding the team's aims the remainder of the season. ''We want to come back in a strong position in the Premier League. I feel apart from Manchester United, it is very open for all the other positions. .. So it is down to us to continue to be consistent like we have been in the Premier League.''
Arsenal enters Saturday's tilt with Aston Villa in fifth place with 44 points. They are currently four behind fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur and five behind third-place Chelsea. A third place finish guarantees them a spot in the 2013-14; a fourth place finish forces them into a playoff to obtain a spot. If Arsenal remains in fifth place, the team will head to the Europa League.
Despite poor results in tournament play, Arsenal is riding a four-game unbeaten streak; the last time the team lost was on Jan. 20 against Chelsea. In the team's latest game against Sunderland, Arsenal pulled off 1-0 win courtesy of a 35th minute goal from Santi Cazorla.
Aston Villa's 2-1 win over West Ham United last week ended an eight-game winless skid for the squad. With 24 points, Villa is only one point out of a relegation spot. The team has won two, drawn five, and lost six away from home this season.
Prediction: Arsenal is the favorite to win and should take a 3-1 win at home.
Start Time: 10 AM EST