Arsenal continued their momentum from last season with a 2-0 victory over Wolves in matchweek one of the Premier League. However, they now face their first significant test of the campaign as they prepare to take on Aston Villa, away from home.
The Gunners head to Villa Park on Saturday and even though this will be just their second match of the 2024/25 season, Arsenal cannot afford to drop unnecessary points. Last campaign, they missed the league title by just two points so every win and every point will matter this time.
And talking about dropping points, Aston Villa did the Premier League double over Arsenal last season so Mikel Arteta will have to ensure that his team keeps pace with all the other big boys by the end of matchweek two.
This one will be a cracker of a contest because Villa are now a proper top-four side under Unai Emery and since they will be playing at home, Villa will go all out for three points. On paper, Arsenal will need to win this one because two or three dropped points could come back to haunt them next May however, a hard-fought draw won’t be the end of the world.
Arsenal’s team news for the Aston Villa match:
Mikel Arteta only has three injuries to deal with and neither of them are regular starters for Arsenal which means the manager almost has a fully fit squad to choose from.
Jurrien Timber missed almost the entirety of the 23/24 season due to a ligament tear but the defender did get to play around 20 minutes last weekend. Even though Timber is a central defender there have been rumours that the Arsenal manager will try to use him in defensive midfield on Saturday.
Using the 23-year-old as a CDM will not only keep the backline unaltered but will also give an extra layer of protection for the back four. However, while talking to the press, Arteta did not give up any of his tactical plans.
Talking about Timber’s possible midfield role, the manager told the press: “He can play in various positions, his versatility is one of his biggest strengths. He’s been out for 11 months and it’s great to have him back. He played some quality minutes the other day.”
If Jurrien Timber plays in midfield then he is going to come into the side in place of Thomas Partey but apart from this one potential shuffle, we don’t think the Arsenal manager is going to make any changes to his starting line up that featured against Wolves.
Arsenal are also about to sign Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad but this deal will not go through in time for the midfielder to play on Saturday.
Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz both had two goal contributions in matchweek one and again Arsenal will heavily rely on the pair to get them through at Villa Park.
Arsenal predicted line up vs Aston Villa:
Predicted Starting XI(4-3-3): Raya; Zinchenko, Gabriel, William Saliba, White; Partey/Timber, Declan Rice, Odegaard; Martinelli, Havertz, Bukayo Saka.
