Declan Rice came off early against Brentford.placeholder image
Declan Rice came off early against Brentford. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Declan Rice and Cristhian Mosquera picked up fresh injury concerns for Arsenal this week.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces somewhat of a team selection dilemma ahead of taking on Aston Villa in the Midlands on Saturday lunchtime.
The Gunners can extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to eight points with a victory over Unai Emery’s men, even if just for a few hours before rivals Manchester City take on Sunderland.
Arteta has fresh injury concerns to manage with Declan Rice and Cristhian Mosquera forced off against Brentford with niggles. Those two first team stars join Kai Havertz, William Saliba, Gabriel and Leandro Trossard on the treatment table.
The Gunners boss will likely have been considering rotating in any case with fixtures coming thick and fast ahead of the busy festive period. Arsenal play for the third time in six days against the Villains and also have a midweek Champions League clash against Club Brugge next week to think about. Here’s how Arsenal could line up at Villa Park.
Arsenal predicted XI to face Aston Villa
Goalkeeper - David Raya
Defenders - Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori
David Raya made headlines thanks to an outstanding reflex save against Brentford in midweek and remains an ever-present for the Gunners in the Premier League this term. The shot-stopper could once again have a makeshift defence in front of him.
Gabriel will not return in time to face Aston Villa but William Saliba is in contention. Arteta said the Frenchman was ‘a matter of days’ away on Friday, which could point to a comeback against Club Brugge next week.
Cristhian Mosquera went off injured against Brentford and the Gunners boss has confirmed that looks ‘more complicated’ ahead of another test on Friday. It feels likely that Arteta will not risk either Mosquera or Saliba, which could leave Jurrien Timber slotting in at centre-back alongside Piero Hincapie. Timber looked confident and comfortable in that role against the Bees.
Ben White was a revelation on Wednesday in his first league outing since the opening day and is set to play again should Timber be needed centrally. Riccardo Calafiori holds down the other flank but is walking a suspension tightrope with four yellow cards to his name.
Mikel Arteta faces big Declan Rice decision
Midfielders - Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard
Arteta refused to rule Declan Rice out for the weekend when speaking on Friday, but was also unable to confirm the midfielder would be available. The England international has featured in every Premier League match so far this season but a rest feels wise given the midweek niggle and busy fixtures ahead.
Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard are set to continue and Arteta could turn to Christian Norgaard for a more defensive mind to take over from Rice. More likely, however, are minutes for Eberechi Eze after he played just 29 minutes on Wednesday.
Forwards - Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino, Gabriel Martinelli
Mikel Merino is fit and firing so likely to hold down the striker role. Viktor Gyokeres could be in for a first start since early November should Arteta wish to rest the Spaniard.
Noni Madueke got the nod against Brentford but put in a shaky performance with some feeble corners failing to clear the first man. Bukayo Saka had a good rest so should return with Gabriel Martinelli on the other flank as Leandro Trossard finishes his recovery from injury.
In other news, Arsenal boost as Aston Villa risk being without injured World Cup winner this weekend.
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