Arsenal picked up a 3-0 win vs Eintracht Frankfurt away from home in their Europa League opener this week and next up they welcome Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Gunners are currently sitting 7th in the league table meaning the Arsenal vs Villa clash will be really important for Unai Emery’s men in the race to enter the top four of the league – especially since the other contenders have tough fixtures.
The manager chose to rest a number of his regular first-team players on Thursday but they will most certainly return back action this weekend when Villa visit the Emirates.
Apart from these regular players, there have been reports that the likes of Rob Holding and Mavropanos could also feature in the matchday squad.
Gunners team news vs Aston Villa:
The biggest news of the Arsenal vs Villa clash is the return of Rob Holding. The central defence has been fit for some time meaning his return to the first XI is not far away and many believe after Sokratis’ poor show last weekend the Greek international could be replaced by Holding.
But if recent rumours are to be believed then the pair of Sokratis and David Luiz will keep their place in central defence meaning Rob Holding will find a place on the bench at best.
Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin have both returned back to full training as confirmed by the club but they are still some weeks away from a first-team return. And this means Kolasinac and Maitland-Niles will play as the full-backs.
Xhaka and Torreira started in central midfield on Thursday but the latter should be replaced by Matteo Guendouzi this weekend vs Aston Villa.
Dani Ceballos and Nicolas Pepe both came off the bench vs Eintracht but the pair are most certainly going to start on Sunday.
Mesut Ozil did not travel with the Arsenal squad for the UEL clash but the manager had confirmed before the match that the German will start against Villa.
Alexandre Lacazette is currently sidelined with an ankle injury meaning Aubameyang will play as the lone striker upfront.
The Arsenal vs Villa match should be an easy win for Unai Emery’s men given that the away side have so far picked up only a single win during their first five matches in the league.
Arsenal vs Villa: Gunners’ predicted XI
Starting XI: Leno; Maitland-Niles, Luiz, Sokratis, Kolasinac; Xhaka, Gunedouzi; Ceballos, Ozil, Pepe; Aubameyang.
