Arsenal could immediately come up against Aston Villa’s club-record signing Nicolas Jackson after the striker was registered in time to make his debut at Villa Park on Monday night.
Villa moved quickly to reshape Unai Emery’s attack during the final days of the transfer window, completing a deal for Jackson that could eventually cost £65million.
The former Chelsea forward is now eligible to face Mikel Arteta’s defending Premier League champions.
New Aston Villa striker Nicolas Jackson expected to make his debut against Arsenal on Monday. [@J_Tanswell] pic.twitter.com/1sdFGU0Zhr
— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) August 28, 2026
Nicolas Jackson cleared to face Arsenal
talkSPORT reports that Jackson’s registration was completed before the required deadline, clearing the 25-year-old to feature against Arsenal.
Villa have paid Chelsea an initial £47.5m, with Sky Sports confirming the package can rise to a club-record £65m.
Jackson arrives as the replacement for Ollie Watkins, who has left Villa for Al Hilal.
His move also reunites him with Emery.
The pair previously worked together at Villarreal before Jackson moved to the Premier League, giving Villa’s manager a forward he already understands ahead of a difficult meeting with Arsenal.
Arsenal face new Villa attack
Villa’s squad looks considerably different from the one beaten 4-0 by Brighton on the opening weekend.
Jackson is among several new arrivals who could feature on Monday, while Leon Goretzka and Zion Suzuki are also pushing for debuts.
The Guardian reports that Villa have undergone a major late-window overhaul, with Watkins departing and Jackson brought in to lead Emery’s new-look attack.
That creates another defensive question for Arteta.
William Saliba and Jurrien Timber remain unavailable, while summer signing Ezri Konsa is pushing to make his Arsenal debut against his former club.
ReadArsenal’s predicted Arsenal XI against Aston Villa looks at the decision Arteta faces in defence.
Jackson may not be guaranteed to start immediately after arriving so late in the week.
But Arsenal now know Villa have the option of unleashing their record signing on Monday night.
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