Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw against Chelsea in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Manager Mikel Arteta had to field a new-look central defensive partnership after an unfortunate injury blow.
William Saliba picked up a knock in training which paved the way for Cristhian Mosquera to partner Piero Hincapie.
There were as many as six bookings for the Gunners. Riccardo Calafiori was one of those on an early yellow card.
Arteta did not take any risks with the Italian. He was replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly shortly after the interval.
Calafiori has now picked up four yellow cards in 13 Premier League appearances this term.
He is just one booking short of the threshold for a one-game suspension.
The suspension threshold will increase to 10 yellow cards on matchday 20, and Calafiori is walking a tight rope at the moment.
Arsenal host Brentford at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday before an early Saturday kick-off against Aston Villa on the road.
Unai Emery’s side are the in-form team in the league at the moment with 12 points accumulated in the last five league matches. They are six points adrift of the Gunners at the top.
Arsenal can ill-afford to have Calafiori suspended for the game at Villa Park, and manager Mikel Arteta has a big decision to make midweek.
In our view, Myles Lewis-Skelly looks primed to make his first start of the league campaign, nullifying the suspension risk for Calafiori. He could come off the bench if required.
On the other hand, a yellow card for Calafiori against Villa may not prove detrimental, given Arsenal host bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers after the Midlands trip.
The Villa game could be their next major challenge.
The Gunners have beaten the Villans on just one of the previous four meetings. Emery’s men came from two goals down to share the spoils at the Emirates earlier this year.
Despite yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea, Arsenal still have a handy five-point lead at the top of the table.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com