Arsenal could tweak the lineup to face Aston Villa, with Jorginho set to remain in the team with Thomas Partey likely to miss out.
Arsenal suffered a hammer blow from Manchester City, who comprehensively beat the Gunners at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta’s side lost momentum and gave up their top spot to Pep Guardiola’s side, who remain ahead on goal difference. And the north Londoners will look to bounce back to winning ways against Aston Villa on Saturday.
While Arsenal have a game in hand over Manchester City, there is a tough challenge ahead for the Gunners in their quest for the title. Questions on those lines dominated the pre-match press conference. Arteta also updated Thomas Partey’s situation after he missed the midweek clash with a muscular problem.
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On Partey, Arteta said, “We have to assess him again today. He has some muscle discomfort, and we have to see how he is.”
On the challenge ahead after losing their top spot, Arteta added, “That’s an opportunity. We’ve talked about it for a few months now, the position that we’re in, the way the team is playing, and all the right things that we have to continue to do to earn the right to be there. We’ve seen where the level is, we want to be at that level and we are on that journey together. There were a lot of positives to take from [the Man City] match.”
Arteta also confirmed Emile Smith Rowe would return to full training and that he could make the matchday squad against Villa. While he is not expected to start, Leandro Trossard could make his full debut in the Premier League for Arsenal. He could replace Gabriel Martinelli on the left side of the attack.
Takehiro Tomiyasu could also keep his place at right-back. Ben White could start in central defence alongside Gabriel Magalhaes. Arteta can temporarily afford to rest William Saliba to allow the 21-year-old a breather.
Other than that, there won’t be any other changes to this Arsenal side. Jorginho will remain in the holding midfield role due to the absence of Partey. He will have Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard on either side. Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah will complete the attacking setup, with Trossard on the left.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu; Ben White, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Xhaka; Saka, Nketiah, Trossard
