- Mikel Arteta will be having fully fit squad for their match against Aston Villa.
- Gabriel Jesus has left the club and is set to join Barcelona with Gabriel Martinelli leaving for Saudi.
- Mikel Arteta is likely to use the same attacking trio that started the previous match.
Arsenal will face their first away test of the new Premier League campaign when they travel to Villa Park to take on Aston Villa on Monday night.
The Gunners could hardly have asked for a better start to the season after opening their campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over newly promoted Coventry City.
Mikel Arteta’s men controlled the contest and showed their attacking quality, with Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard all finding the back of the net.
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Arsenal predicted lineup vs Aston Villa
With the confidence from that performance still high, Arsenal will now be looking to make it two wins from two. The trip to Villa Park, however, is expected to provide a much tougher examination, and Arteta is unlikely to make unnecessary changes to a side that performed so well in their opening fixture.
The Spanish tactician could therefore stick with the same 4-3-3 formation and largely the same personnel.
David Raya is expected to continue in goal after beginning the campaign with consecutive clean sheets. The goalkeeper will be hoping to maintain that impressive defensive record against an Aston Villa attack that can be dangerous at home.
Ben White should retain his place at right-back, particularly with Jurrien Timber still unavailable because of injury. White looked much sharper against Coventry and formed an effective understanding with Saka and Ødegaard down the right side.
Cristhian Mosquera could also keep his position in central defence. While there had been expectations that Ezri Konsa could come into the team, Mosquera’s performance in the opening match gave Arteta plenty of reason to trust him again.
He is likely to be partnered by Gabriel Magalhães, who remains one of the first names on the Arsenal team sheet. Gabriel was not at his most convincing against Coventry but his physical presence and experience make him a key figure in the backline.
Riccardo Calafiori is expected to continue at left-back. The Italian impressed with his ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch and will be hoping to build on that performance despite competition from Piero Hincapié.
In midfield, captain Ødegaard is expected to keep his place after producing an influential display in the opening game. The Norwegian capped his performance with a goal and will once again be tasked with dictating Arsenal’s attacking rhythm.
Myles Lewis-Skelly is also likely to start after making a strong impression in the season opener. With Bruno Guimarães unlikely to be risked if he has only just returned from injury, Lewis-Skelly could continue alongside Ødegaard and Declan Rice.
Rice will provide the balance in midfield, offering Arsenal both defensive protection and a threat from set pieces. His ability to drive forward and contribute in the final third could prove important against Villa.
Saka should start on the right wing after linking particularly well with White and Ødegaard against Coventry. The England international will also be looking to add to his opening-day goal.
Havertz is expected to lead the line once again. His two goals in two starts have strengthened his claim for the centre-forward position, although the competition will become tougher with Viktor Gyökeres waiting for his opportunity.
On the left, Christos Tzolis is likely to continue after an impressive debut. His performance against Coventry showed that he can offer Arsenal a direct threat from the flank, and another strong display could cement his place in Arteta’s plans.
Predicted Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa
Goalkeeper: David Raya
Defenders: Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhães, Riccardo Calafiori
Midfielders: Martin Ødegaard, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Declan Rice
Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Christos Tzolis
Arteta will be hoping his side can reproduce the intensity and attacking efficiency they showed on the opening night. Aston Villa should offer a considerably sterner challenge, but Arsenal will travel to Villa Park confident that another victory can keep their early-season momentum going.