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Did you see Gareth Bale's interview in the week? It appears the former Tottenham player used to carry a torch for the Gunners.

"I used to like Arsenal a lot," admitted Bale during an interview with Spanish radio station Cadena Ser. "But when I moved to Tottenham of course I liked them less - but I really liked Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, those kinds of players. They were incredible."

Is there a club you used to like, but now can't stand?

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, speaking to Sky Sports: "Theo Walcott is physically ready that is for sure, afterwards mentally it as about confidence as well but he should be ready, he scored last week and that certainly helps."

On new signing Gabriel Paulista: "We were for a long time depleted at the back and so to have three options in defence today is reassuring for us."

Former Aston Villa striker Peter Withe
BBC Radio West Midlands at Emirates Stadium

"Against Bournemouth in last week's FA Cup match I felt Aston Villa had a real shortage of players running at defenders. I would imagine Scott Sinclair will get on the pitch at some point to show what he can do. Once you create that it allows Christian Benteke a little bit of space to get his goals."

Sorry Villa fans, but our very own Lawro and his opponents for this weekend's predictions game Mark Ronson both have Arsenal down for a routine 2-0 win this afternoon.

"Arsenal have won four games in a row and are building a bit of momentum, as well as confidence in their bid for a top-four finish," notes Lawro.

"I know Aston Villa won at Emirates Stadium last season but it is hard to see them repeating that result - I don't think they will see very much of the ball."

To see how Lawro fared in his predictions yesterday, go here.

Former Aston Villa striker Peter Withe
BBC Radio West Midlands at Emirates Stadium

Withe, 63, scored the winning goal as Villa beat Bayern Munich 1-0 to with the European Cup in 1982. "33 years ago? That seems like only yesterday. It will be interesting to see how Aston Villa set up today, whether they will try and sit back to soak up the pressure. If you remember the game they won here last season, they shocked Arsenal by flying out of the blocks and attacking."

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The Villa supporters will be pleased to see Fabian Delph commit his future to the club, but it means his team-mates have to put up with his moaning!

"The sky is the limit for Fabian," said Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan., external "If he continues to develop the way he has over the last few years it will be something special to watch.

"I must admit though that Fabian is a huge moaner. He moans about everything. Ask anyone!

"Sometimes he's right. Other times you're thinking: 'Okay Fabian, you're moaning just to moan here.'"

There's one in every dressing room, isn't there?

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert, speaking to Sky Sports: "The last week was really positive. Fabian Delph signing a new contract is massive for us, and Carles Gil coming in has been excellent. He has brought everyone up a whole level. Scott Sinclair has not played too much football but has settled in pretty quickly, he is on the bench, and the bench is looking really strong.

"Last week the win gave everybody a lift. There has certainly been a different feeling in training. I know we've won here before but it is a hard place to come. We go into every game to try and win and we'll certainly give them a game."

Chris Bloomfield: Can only see a 3-0 Arsenal win today! Dreadful Aston Villa form and Arsenal skill = easy win.

Rashid Jamiol: Arsenal's substitute bench looks weak with no certified forward in there which means Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud to play the full 90 minutes.

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Villa's stunning 3-1 victory at the Emirates last season seems a long time ago now, but the Gunners have only lost once, to Manchester United, in 28 home matches in the Premier League since that defeat. Fortress Emirates.

Neil Powers: Walsall kick off at 18:00 GMT against Gillingham due to a Sunday weekly market outside the Bank's Stadium! (see 12:33)

Arsenal have a decent record in this fixture - they have lost only three of their last 32 league meetings with Aston Villa (W20, D9, L3).

Nonetheless, those three Villa wins were all at the Emirates Stadium, where they have earned 11 points from eight visits - including a 3-1 victory last season (W3, D2, L3). Only Chelsea and Manchester United have fared better, with 12 points each.

Make of that what you will.

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With deadline day looming, this morning we're asking you: What's your transfer market value? Do your silky skills command a hefty fee?

Ben, Northampton: My mates have often got me to play for a pint and a kebab. If I was to draw that out into a year contract I would say 52 pints and 52 bacon sandwiches, with a clean sheet bonus of pickled onion crisps. I would take all payment simultaneously. That would be a good Saturday.

Nick, Telford: A Sunday League team signed me from another for a set of nets and two corner flags - I felt like a superstar!

Luke Ebbs, Claygate: At primary school I made a controversial switch from 6A to 6M for the hefty fee of a packet of crisps! Couldn't cope with the stick and moved back a month later on a free transfer.

Whatever your price, let us know using #getinspired, external on Twitter or text us on 81111 (UK only) and we'll use the best of them. And if you are texting in, don't forget to add your name and location.

Get Inspired is a BBC initiative aiming to increase participation in sport. Find out more here.

Can Arsenal still win the title? Arsene Wenger says that's still the target, as he plots three points against Villa which would take the Gunners to within 11 points of leaders Chelsea.

"It (to challenge for the title) is our target, but we have to be realistic," cautioned Wenger. "What we want is to win every game we can, but at the moment we are 14 points behind Chelsea, they need to lose five games, and they have lost only two until now.

"What we want to do is focus on our performances and show that we can produce consistent results. After, where we will finish, it is difficult to say."

It's actually been quite a good week for Villa. First Fabian Delph signed a new contract, then Scott Sinclair appeared from nowhere to pep up an ailing attack.

"This club is moving in a really good direction at the minute," said manager Paul Lambert. "Fabian re-signing, Carles Gil coming in and the way he is playing, Sinclair coming in is a breath of fresh air as well. So there are a lot of good things going on at the minute."

Get Inspired
With BBC Sport

With deadline day looming, this morning we're asking you: What's your transfer market value? Do your silky skills command a hefty fee?

Andy, Scunthorpe: After creating myself on FIFAs 12, 13 and 14 including adding my face into the game and with honest stats making me look like Nicky Quinn and starting my career every time with my beloved Blades, my average transfer fee is £6.25m... Worth every penny?

Chris Calver: I'd use my experience from working in a clothing shop and increase my club's shirt sales tenfold.

Shaun: I've scored the same amount of Premier League goals this season as Mario Balotelli, so I'm rating myself about £16m.

Whatever your price, let us know using #getinspired, external on Twitter or text us on 81111 (UK only) and we'll use the best of them. And if you are texting in, don't forget to add your name and location.

Get Inspired is a BBC initiative aiming to increase participation in sport. Find out more here.

Aston Villa also have a new face in their ranks. The lesser spotted Scott Sinclair, who has been put out of his Manchester City misery. For those of you old enough to remember, Sinclair is a fairly decent winger/forward who is more than capable of chipping in with the odd goal. That rare commodity so lacking at Villa this season.

Happy with the deal, Villa fans? Now Sinclair has been saved, who next for Lambert? Where's Franny Jeffers these days?

Did someone mention there's a game at Hampden this afternoon? Celtic and Rangers lock horns for the first time since April 2012, with a place in the Scottish League Cup final at stake...

That match starts at 13:30 GMT and you can watch the match on the website.

The mouth-watering Glasgow derby will be broadcast live in 54 countries across five continents as these two rivals battle it out to face Dundee United.

Are you sitting comfortably? Good, then we'll begin.

You can follow the action on our Scottish live text.

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With deadline day looming, this morning we're asking you: What's your transfer market value? Do your silky skills command a hefty fee?

Alex Winterton: 23, English, goalkeeper, over 50 seven-a-side appearances and one assist. Honours include quarter-finals in a work tournament. £10 ono.

Martin, Worcester: Was once transferred/exchanged for a pair of football boots in a deal that today would be worth around £120. They were robbed.

Andy Robinson: I'm getting on a bit, haven't played in a while and didn't score many goals when I did play! A free transfer to Bolton then?

Whatever your price, let us know using #getinspired, external on Twitter or text us on 81111 (UK only) and we'll use the best of them. And if you are texting in, don't forget to add your name and location.

Get Inspired is a BBC initiative aiming to increase participation in sport. Find out more here.

Is Gabriel Paulista the answer to Arsenal's defensive problems? Possibly, although manager Arsene Wenger has cautioned that the player needs time to settle first.

"At the moment, he doesn't speak a word of English, and that can cost you goals," Wenger said. "If you mix 'going forwards' with 'going backwards', it can cost you."

How do you get around that issue? Surely you just get two key words and drum them into him and his defensive partner?

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So Arsene Wenger's finally got his man. Gabriel is now a permanent fixture at the Emirates - not the 90s pop singer, I should add, but the 24-year-old Brazilian centre-back.

Wenger finally put his hand into his deep pockets and dug out £11.2m. See, dreams do come true sometimes! Arsene is capable of writing a cheque.