Today’s Premier League matchup between Arsenal and Aston Villa is on the road, and Mikel Arteta’s team is hoping to win big.
In the first match of the new season, the Gunners defeated Wolves 2-0, with goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka for the home team.
With Jurrien Timber making a comeback this opening weekend, Arsenal have a comparatively clear health report heading into their trip to Villa Park.
The Dutch defender was brought in as a second-half replacement against Wolves, but he did not play in Arsenal’s final two preseason games.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is still a number of weeks away from his return having suffered a knee injury that ruled him out of Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the US. Kieran Tierney is also still out after his hamstring injury suffered at Euro 2024.
Fabio Vieira meanwhile will not be part of the squad with the midfielder set to return to Porto on a season-long loan. The 24-year-old, who struggled for minutes last season, is expected to complete the move before the weekend is out.
Eddie Nektiah is also nearing the exit having agreed personal terms with Nottingham Forest over a £30m move. The 25-year-old was named among the subs last weekend but it remains to be seen if he will be involved today.
Mikel Merino is in London with his move from Real Sociedad wrapped up and could be involved next week against Brighton.
Mikel Arteta could name an unchanged XI for the meeting with Unai Emery’s side – although Leandro Trossard is an option to come in and replace Gabriel Martinelli on the left.
Summer signing Riccardo Calafiori is fit and available after remaining among the subs last Saturday and is an option to come in if the Gunners boss sees fit to make changes.
How Arsenal may line up this weekend…
His regular centre-half partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães were among the five Arsenal stars named in the PFA Team of the Season this week alongside David Raya, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
Predicted Arsenal XI to face Aston Villa
Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Partey, Rice, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Where to watch Aston Villa vs Arsenal? Kick-off time and TV channel
Aston Villa vs Arsenal kicks off at 5:30pm on Saturday 24 August.
Live coverage is available on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event.