Arsenal are preparing for a crucial early challenge in their pursuit of the Premier League title as they get ready to take on Aston Villa this weekend. After opening their campaign with a confident 2-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, where Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka scored the goals, the Gunners are heading into this match with a relatively healthy squad.
One of the key updates in the squad is the return of Dutch defender Jurrien Timber. Timber had been absent during Arsenal’s final two pre-season games due to injury concerns but made his return as a second-half substitute in the match against Wolves. His availability boosts Arsenal’s defensive options as they aim to maintain their solid start to the season.
However, not all news is positive on the injury front. Takehiro Tomiyasu remains unavailable due to a knee injury that he sustained earlier, which had already ruled him out of Arsenal’s pre-season tour in the United States. The Japanese defender is still weeks away from returning to action, leaving a gap in the squad that Mikel Arteta must manage. In addition, Kieran Tierney is also set to miss the Villa match as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury sustained while playing for Scotland in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. His absence means Arsenal will have to rely on other options in defense, particularly at left-back.
On a brighter note, there is hope that Fabio Vieira, who has been sidelined with a hip injury, might be available for selection this weekend. Vieira’s return would provide Arteta with more choices in midfield and potentially impact the team’s attacking dynamics.
Given Arsenal’s strong performance in their season opener, Arteta may choose to stick with the same starting lineup that secured the victory over Wolves. Nevertheless, the manager has tactical decisions to make, particularly regarding the left-wing position. Leandro Trossard is a potential candidate to replace Gabriel Martinelli, depending on how Arteta plans to approach the game tactically.
Riccardo Calafiori, one of Arsenal’s summer signings, was on the bench during the Wolves match and is reportedly fit and ready to play if needed. This adds another layer of depth to the squad as they prepare for a tough encounter at Villa Park.
The central defense partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, both of whom were honored in the PFA Team of the Season alongside teammates David Raya, Declan Rice, and Martin Odegaard, is expected to remain unchanged. This duo has been solid at the back and will likely continue to be a cornerstone of Arsenal’s defense.
For the upcoming clash against Aston Villa, the anticipated Arsenal starting lineup includes Raya in goal, supported by a defensive line of Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, and Oleksandr Zinchenko. The midfield is likely to consist of captain Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, and Declan Rice, while the attacking trio is expected to feature Saka, Havertz, and Martinelli.
