Gunners face early test in a title fight of tiny margins

Both of these managers have done very good jobs, both of these clubs have made sizeable strides. One of them is nonetheless likely about to get criticised and told they need to do more in the next week or risk missing out on their objectives. And it almost doesn't matter which coach it's aimed at.

- KARL MATCHETT

Such is the relentless, never-stand-still nature of the Premier League and the focus point of most outsider commentators, who see transfer necessities in draws and trophy pushes in victories, even two weeks into the season.

Defeat? That can mean anything, from a side going stale to a manager falling short. But both of these clubs will sidestep those hot takes, of course. Regardless of a single result in isolation, both will feel they are prepared and on course for their respective seasonal objectives – it’s just that Arsenal have far less margin for error. And that makes this trip to Villa Park a particularly noteworthy one, with the Gunners up against their former boss Unai Emery, and their former goalkeeper Emi Martinez.

The Gunners only just fell short in the title fight last year. Two points isn’t much, yet it’s also a world of improvement to find when there’s so little scope for shortfall. In order to become champions, challengers can only afford to drop points in around 10 of their league games – making a trip to a rival top-four side a critical test.