These are difficult times for Arsenal and their manager Arsene Wenger. For the last 15-years "Arsene knows" has been the unofficial motto of the club, but the Gunners suffered a third straight Premier League defeat when they lost 2-1 at home to Manchester United last Sunday and the mantra was turned on its head as chants of "you don't know what you're doing" echoed around the Emirates Stadium.

The catalyst for the supporters' ire was Wenger's decision to substitute livewire Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - who, it was later claimed, had a slight calf problem - for the ineffectual midfielder Andrei Arshavin. The stats bear out that the Russian is a shadow of the player he was (less tackles, less assists, less shooting accuracy) and the bafflement at Wenger's decision wasn't confined to the stands, with club captain Robin van Persie seen to mouth his disagreement at the decision as he glanced over to the sidelines.

After the match, Dutch striker Van Persie was quick to say that he fully backed all of his manager's decisions, but murmured questions are starting to be asked of Wenger that would previously have been deemed sacrilegious. His recruitment policy, tactics and a perceived stubborn streak, that has recently been deemed detrimental to the club, have all come under scrutiny.

The pressure is on. Wenger's team are 18 points off the pace in the Premier League and although the Gunners have reached the knockout phase of the Champions League, they are highly unlikely to win it ahead of the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona. The FA Cup represents Arsenal's best chance of ending their now infamous trophy drought that stretches back to 2005, when the Gunners beat Manchester United in the final of the very same competition.

But Arsenal must face what Wenger describes as a "dangerous" Villa side with a raft of injury worries. Midfielder Mikel Arteta faces a late fitness test, while it looks like being a game too soon for Bacary Sagna and there are yet more problems in defence with Francis Coquelin only recently recovered from a hamstring problem and full-backs Kieran Gibbs (groin), Carl Jenkinson (back) and Andre Santos (ankle) all out.

In the last round of the cup, returning hero Thierry Henry, who is currently on loan from MLS side New York Red Bulls, scored the decisive goal against Leeds United and Wenger will be hoping his temporary talisman can recover from a calf niggle in time to once again inspire his team in what has become a must win game, at least in terms of confidence.

Villa, who are unbeaten in their last three games, having recovered from a chastening 2-0 defeat at home to Swansea, go into the cup clash under little pressure and with their own MLS loan star to lead the charge. LA Galaxy striker Robbie Keane scored twice on his full debut for Villa and looks to be at his defence-troubling best.

Meanwhile, striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, who had to be substituted at half-time because of sickness during last weekend's win at Wolves, has recovered from a bug in time for the trip to London. Fellow forward Emile Heskey (Achilles) and midfielder Stephen Ireland (hamstring) are also back in contention after resuming training.

But winger Charles N'Zogbia's heel problem means he is ruled out against the Gunners and he joins defender Carlos Cuellar (calf) and midfielder Chris Herd (ankle) on the current injury list.

Arsenal player to watch: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The England youngster was a surprise inclusion in the Gunners' starting line-up against Manchester United, and he rewarded boss Wenger's faith with a mature performance, creating a goal for Robin van Persie. Reportedly Fabio Capello is considering Oxlade-Chamberlain for the England squad at Euro 2012, so he will want to carry the momentum forward.

Aston Villa player to watch: Robbie Keane. While the impact of the Ireland international's repeated claim that he's joining his 'boyhood club' (he's now on his tenth - Wolves, Coventry, Inter Milan, Leeds, Tottenham, Liverpool, Celtic, West Ham, LA Galaxy and Aston Villa) may have diminished over the years, his impact as striker hasn't. He won the MLS title before joining Villa and then smashed in two wonder goals on his full debut for the Premier League club. McLeish has switched around his personnel to fit the 31-year-old into his team and it's worked a treat.

Key Battle: Gabriel Agbonlahor v Arsenal's right-back Villa will almost certainly look to target Arsenal's problem right-back position; the Gunners have Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson out injured, meaning Johan Djourou has been deputising. However, Djourou was tormented by Manchester United last time out and withdrawn at half-time - will Arsene Wenger trust him, or plump for youngster Nico Yennaris instead? It doesn't really matter for to Villa who will use Agbonlahor's pace to test whichever makeshift of half-fit defender turns up. Normally a striker, Agbonlahor was shifted out to the left flank against Wolves to make room for Robbie Keane and Darren Bent up front. He started out on the wing under former villa boss Martin O'Neil and should provide plenty of menace. Trivia: The last cup tie in which Arsenal faced a team managed by Alex McLeish was the Carling Cup final of 2011, where Birmingham won 2-1.

Stats: Darren Bent has scored six goals in his last eight Premier League games against Arsenal.

match

5pmaarrgghh!!Dats too late, Can't wait 2get dis match startd, Come on you Gooooonnerrs!!!

@OP

Sagna is back in training

Aston Villa to win with that ex tottenham player to score the winning goal.

Mukina,Sagna is in the squad. Le Coq at left- back and Kos+ Verm in the heart of defence.

@manmustnack, of course he'll score d winning goal!!, an own goal!!

Aston villa coach is a dead man walking and would be buried before 19:00GMT+1 today.

Seriously, i'm betting on Bent to score. But we still gonna win. #gunners

I pray we win this one  

Bent and keane two ex spurs players who'll finish off arsenal at the emirates today

4 ur mind abi??

dey wait!

chookudi:

4 ur mind abi??

NO! Not for my mind for the football pitch

i hope those stupi.d boys will not disappoint again today o

Hardunnii:

i hope those stupi.d boys will not disappoint again today o

i have a feeling they would OH!

Flabbyhanski has started again ooo

This game is only on ESPN here in the UK so there won't be many people commenting on it

manmustwac:

i have a feeling they would OH!

what kind of name is that

Former England manager Graham Taylor for BBC Radio 5 live at the Emirates Stadium:  " It has been all Arsenal, they have had all the possession of the ball and they are having all the chances.

1611: Aston Villa have settled into the game a little better and Francis Coquelin needs to be on his toes to cut out a cross-field pass that could have pened up the Gunners defence

free kick RvP range . . . .

Una no go complain of d cheap ass free kick una get na! Useless ref!!

1622: Aaron Ramsey wins the ball with a snapping tackle in midfield, frees Theo Walcott and the Englishman's cross is not far from then outstretched boot of Robin van Persie in the middle.

Any links?

1626: Robin van Persie blasts a free-kick into the base of the Villa ball after Stephen Warnock pokes a foot in on Aaron Ramsey. The visitors' left-back is also struggling to contain Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who drags a low shot wide shortly after.

Villa scored

Akpako!!!!

Dunne

@ odiare, U mean wife arsenal abi? LWKMD