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Rice has picked up a fresh issue | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
A look at the injury news surrounding Arsenal and Aston Villa ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash.
Arsenal are back in action on Saturday when they face a tough-to-beat Aston Villa side on the back of a home win over Brentford. The Gunners returned to winning ways on Wednesday with a relatively comfortable home win, protecting their five-point lead at the top.
Villa will be a tough nut to crack, especially at Villa Park, with Unai Emery’s men one of the most in-form sides in the Premier League, now in third place. The West Midlands side have won eight of their last nine games to storm up the table.
Here we round up the latest injury news surrounding both sides heading into the Villa Park clash.
Ross Barkley - Out
Barkley has picked up a knee injury. Emery said this week: “Ruled out as well is Ross Barkley, his [knee] injury is more than we expected. I don’t know exactly, but maybe 8-10-12 weeks. Hopefully, a little bit less.”
Tyrone Mings - Out
Mings is going to be out until the end of December or January. Emery has said: “Tyrone is out for tomorrow, I think four weeks more to be available.”
Emiliano Martinez - Doubt
Martinez missed the Brighton game during the week, and he will be a doubt here until confirmed otherwise. Emery said after the Brighton game: “Martinez was not ready to play, and had some pain in his back.”
Kai Havertz - Out
Havertz is getting closer, but he won’t be back until at least the end of the month. Arteta said this week: “Matter of weeks. Let's see how it evolves... He's doing really well, he's doing stuff on the pitch, but I think he needs some time. He was doing everything; he could not go to the next level. We are all desperate to have him.”
Gabriel Magalhaes - Out
Gabriel is also out until towards the end of the month, although he might return a touch before Havertz. Arteta has said: “Big Gabi is doing very well, but that's weeks as well.”
Leandro Trossard - Fit
Trossard had a knock but is expected to return here.
William Saliba - Fit
Saliba is expected to return here after missing the Brentford game. Arteta said: “He had a little niggle, so I think it’s going to be a matter of days, so let’s see if he’s able to be there tomorrow. The ankle [earlier in the season] was really random, and a very unlucky action that kept him out for a few weeks. This one as well, very bizarre, but hopefully it will be a matter of days.”
Declan Rice - Doubt
Rice pulled up against Brentford and will be a doubt here. Arteta said after the game: “He could not carry on playing, so we have to wait and see tomorrow what happens.”
Cristhian Mosquera - Doubt
Mosquera also picked up an injury on Wednesday. Arteta has said: “We have to wait and see. It's probably the knee or ankle. We don't know. He could not really tell us exactly how it was, but he wasn't able to continue.”
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