Arsenal have only scored two goals in their past four games. Contrast that to the eight they got in the previous four and things have dried up.
Gabriel Martinelli is on a barren run, Eddie Nketiah was profligate in front of goal against Manchester City and the midfield appears imbalanced without Thomas Partey. Football is fickle though and Arsenal have been excellent this season; the current run is unlikely to continue.
With Leandro Trossard they have found a viable back-up option on the wings and Emile Smith Rowe's return could see him add extra impetus from deep. The blip could all be forgotten by the end of the weekend.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta gives Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Jesus update for Villa vs Arsenal
In order to do this though, Mikel Arteta will have to amend the briefly faltering attack. It hasn't just been converting chances that has been a problem. Arsenal haven't made as many as they usually would.
In the past three games they have registered fewer Expected Goals than their opponents; that stretches back to four of the last six. Martinelli, Saka and Martin Odegaard are all overperforming their personal tallies and this may just be a regression to the mean.
It does raise genuine questions for the first time this season though, especially if Partey remains sidelined with injury and the shape has to be adapted to suit Jorginho's more passive style. With this in mind, football.london has created an attack-minded team that could feature against Aston Villa.
The defence can remain similar to the one that has previously been played, but Takehiro Tomiyasu is staying in over Ben White despite his mistake for Kevin De Bruyne's goal on Wednesday. On the left the decision is whether Oleksandr Zinchenko moves into midfield or not.
Because of the pure desire for goals, Kieran Tierney is coming in to offer width and speed at full-back with his teammate playing a different role. Although it may be unlikely, Zinchenko could form a midfield partnership with Granit Xhaka. The Swiss international has been excellent in a more advanced role this season but has, along with his teammates, been less effective in recent weeks.
These two are steadying the ship but offering plenty on the ball whilst Martin Odegaard floats into a No.10 position behind the frontline. This will differ slightly the 4-3-3 most commonly seen by Arsenal this season but is possible still.
Instead of having two wingers and a natural forward Arteta could choose to mix things up and play with a false nine. Martinelli fits the profile of a central forward well and can come inside whilst Odegaard himself would be adept at dragging defenders towards him. This leaves space for Emile Smith Rowe to return.
It would be a big call to have him in the starting XI having played such a small amount of football this season but in true Arsenal attacking intent he has been picked here. With him and Odegaard the central players they can give the Villa defence headaches whilst also allowing for runners in-behind.
Arsenal's attacking XI: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Zinchenko, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Smith Rowe, Martinelli.
READ NEXT:
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Thomas Partey injury, rotation and Arsenal fixture scheduling
Mikel Arteta gives Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Jesus update for Villa vs Arsenal
Paul Merson and Chris Sutton agree on 'huge' Aston Villa vs Arsenal score prediction
Arsenal's next five fixtures compared to Manchester City, Man Utd, Newcastle and Tottenham
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
