Arsenal are set to take on Aston Villa on Saturday, and a near-similar lineup to Wednesday could take the field, with Riccardo Calafiori returning to the bench.
Arsenal are buzzing following their midweek victory in the North London Derby, and Mikel Arteta will want the same energy from the cowed and his players on Saturday. They take on an Aston Villa side coming into this clash at the back of consecutive victories in the league as they bring along the bitter memories from this fixture last season.
During Arteta’s pre-match press conference, there weren’t many updates on fitness and no news on any potential return for the long-term absentees. A few first-team regulars were missing from training, but that may have to be with regards to load management.
On the fitness of his players he said, “We have a few decisions to make this afternoon with the medical staff to understand whether they are in the best condition for this game or the next one, so we’ll decide that.”
Arteta also insisted that he would like the players to turn up for games like the one against Aston Villa and not just for derbies.
Arteta continued, “When we play every three days that’s the type of performance that we want. The performances have been there, but after it’s about the results and a few things didn’t go our way during our first few minutes of the match, especially because the dominance that we showed, going 1-0 was tough mentally. I think the team showed incredible resilience, patience and composure to overcome the situation and win the game.”
As for the team news, the manager is unlikely to make any big alterations to the lineup that started the north London Derby. Riccardo Calafiori might be close to resuming first-team action and is expected to take his place on the bench.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been performing superbly in the absence of the Italian international, with the teenager set for another start at left-back. William Saliba was one of those missing from the training pictures. However, he is expected to take his place at the heart of the defence alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, with Jurrien Timber at right-back.
The midweek midfield setup seemed ideal for a big game like the one against Aston Villa. Hence, Thomas Partey will sit at the base, with Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice on either side. Leandro Trossard will keep his place, and Kai Havertz will once again lead the line. Gabriel Martinelli might be the only change from earlier this week as he replaces Raheem Sterling on the right wing.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard
Arsenal are set to take on Aston Villa on Saturday, and a near-similar lineup to Wednesday could take the field, with Riccardo Calafiori returning to the bench.
Arsenal are buzzing following their midweek victory in the North London Derby, and Mikel Arteta will want the same energy from the cowed and his players on Saturday. They take on an Aston Villa side coming into this clash at the back of consecutive victories in the league as they bring along the bitter memories from this fixture last season.
During Arteta’s pre-match press conference, there weren’t many updates on fitness and no news on any potential return for the long-term absentees. A few first-team regulars were missing from training, but that may have to be with regards to load management.
On the fitness of his players he said, “We have a few decisions to make this afternoon with the medical staff to understand whether they are in the best condition for this game or the next one, so we’ll decide that.”
Arteta also insisted that he would like the players to turn up for games like the one against Aston Villa and not just for derbies.
Arteta continued, “When we play every three days that’s the type of performance that we want. The performances have been there, but after it’s about the results and a few things didn’t go our way during our first few minutes of the match, especially because the dominance that we showed, going 1-0 was tough mentally. I think the team showed incredible resilience, patience and composure to overcome the situation and win the game.”
As for the team news, the manager is unlikely to make any big alterations to the lineup that started the north London Derby. Riccardo Calafiori might be close to resuming first-team action and is expected to take his place on the bench.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been performing superbly in the absence of the Italian international, with the teenager set for another start at left-back. William Saliba was one of those missing from the training pictures. However, he is expected to take his place at the heart of the defence alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, with Jurrien Timber at right-back.
The midweek midfield setup seemed ideal for a big game like the one against Aston Villa. Hence, Thomas Partey will sit at the base, with Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice on either side. Leandro Trossard will keep his place, and Kai Havertz will once again lead the line. Gabriel Martinelli might be the only change from earlier this week as he replaces Raheem Sterling on the right wing.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard