Arsenal travel to Villa Park for their latest Premier League clash against Aston Villa today.
The Gunners started their campaign with a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka stood out with a goal and an assist apiece.
They now face the Villans on the road and it could be a tricky encounter. Unai Emery’s side did the double over the Gunners last term including a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium.
The defeat proved costly in the end. The Gunners went on to win their remaining league games but missed out on the title to Manchester City by two points.
Mikel Arteta will be aiming to avenge the loss at Villa Park. The Spanish tactician could make two changes from the curtain-raiser against Wolves last weekend.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Line-up:
David Raya was superb between the sticks in the season opener. He made a terrific reflex save in the opening half, which was praised by Wolves manager Gary O’Neil. The Spaniard will be eyeing another clean sheet on the road.
Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes should be nailed-on starters in defence. Saliba made a rare error against Wolves, but his blushes were saved by a tame effort from Matheus Cunha.
Arteta will likely make a change at left-back, with Oleksandr Zinchenko making way for Jurrien Timber. The Ukrainian lost possession on 11 occasions in 69 minutes, winning just four out of 10 duels. He committed three fouls.
He had a good pre-season but looked vulnerable with his decision-making. Villa could target him with Leon Bailey’s pace. Timber won the same number of duels as Zinchenko in his short cameo.
Jorginho may replace Thomas Partey in midfield. Partey was guilty of losing possession in front of the defence on multiple occasions. The manager may want more ball control and could play the Italian in the number six position.
Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard should complete the midfield as usual. Rice played in an attacking role against Wolves, completing all of his passes. He could have more defensive work against the Villans to negate any counter-attacks.
Saka and Havertz are nailed-on starters in attack after stand-out performances last weekend. Gabriel Martinelli was not at his best, but will likely start ahead of Leandro Trossard.
How Arsenal could line up vs Aston Villa
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com.
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