However, Mikel Arteta\u2019s side have struggled against Unai Emery\u2019s Villans in the past, and a setback to kick the weekend off would allow the Cityzens to pounce, with Sunderland visiting the Etihad later in the day. <\/p>\n
Once again, Arsenal<\/a> have injury concerns, and it may not be clear until matchday as to who\u2019ll be ready to start. Here\u2019s the team Arteta could pick at Villa Park. <\/p>\n Sign Up to Get Informed With SI FC. dark. FREE NEWSLETTER. New SI FC Newsletter Global Embed<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Mikel Merino came up trumps for Arsenal again in the week. \/ Marc Atkins\/Getty Images<\/p>\n GK: David Raya<\/strong>\u2014Raya notched his first clean sheet in almost a month on Wednesday night, and an outstanding save from Kevin Schade meant he was good value for it.<\/p>\n RB: Jurri\u00ebn Timber<\/strong>\u2014Arteta tried to give Timber respite in the week, but Cristhian Mosquera\u2019s injury meant he finished the game as a centre back. While Ben White proved his worth, the Dutchman will likely return to his usual spot on Saturday.<\/p>\n CB: William Saliba<\/strong>\u2014It seems like Saliba\u2019s availability will be determined by Friday\u2019s training session, with the Frenchman sitting out of the past two games. The Frenchman is trending in the right direction, though.<\/p>\n CB: Piero Hincapi\u00e9<\/strong>\u2014Now it\u2019s the Ecuadorian who\u2019s running out of partners. Mosquera succumbed on Wednesday, but Saliba should be back at Villa Park.<\/p>\n LB: Riccardo Calafiori<\/strong>\u2014The buccaneering left back was a thorn in Brentford\u2019s defence on Wednesday night, and he should remain in the team at the weekend. He\u2019ll likely see plenty of Villa\u2019s industrious captain, John McGinn.<\/p>\n CM: Mart\u00edn Zubimendi<\/strong>\u2014Teams can get at Zubimendi when the game gets stretched, and Villa will surely aim to ensure Saturday\u2019s bout is a transitional affair. <\/p>\n CM: Declan Rice<\/strong>\u2014Arsenal are fretting over Rice\u2019s status for Saturday, with the midfielder picking up a calf injury in the week. Arteta didn\u2019t seem too concerned about the setback<\/a>. <\/p>\n CM: Martin \u00d8degaard<\/strong>\u2014Arsenal will want to assert total control in a difficult environment, and their skipper will play an important role in helping the Gunners sustain attacks. He was back in from the start against Brentford.<\/p>\n RW: Bukayo Saka<\/strong>\u2014Saka delivered off the bench last time out and is a certainty to return to Arteta\u2019s XI. <\/p>\n\n
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