Arsenal kick off the weekend’s action in the Premier League when they visit the high-flying Aston Villa on Saturday.
Only Villa have acquired more points in their previous six league outings than the Gunners, with Unai Emery’s side recovering from a poor start to the 2025–26 campaign. Their latest victory, a sixth on the spin in all competitions, which came via a 4–3 scoreline at Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday night, lifted them to third in the table.
The Villans are just six points adrift of the league-leading Arsenal, who comfortably beat Brentford 2–0 in the week after dropping points at Stamford Bridge.
Mikel Arteta’s side have had issues against Emery’s Villans, though. They’ve won just one of the previous four meetings, and their woes in this fixture arguably cost them the Premier League title in 2023–24.
Manchester City will thus be hoping for another favour from the West Midlanders, who’ll move into second with a fifth league win in succession. Arsenal still haven’t been beaten since they lost 1–0 at Anfield back in August.
Arsenal Team News
Arteta isn’t one to give too much away regarding the returns of players from injury, and the Arsenal boss was fairly coy ahead of Saturday’s game.
Much of the intrigue focuses on Declan Rice, who was forced off late on against Brentford with an apparent calf issue. The midfielder’s a doubt for the weekend, but William Saliba and Leandro Trossard should be available again.
Arteta said that Friday’s training session will be key in determining whether the three mentioned above will play at Villa Park.
Cristhian Mosquera’s ankle injury is likely to keep him out of Saturday’s game, so Arsenal really need Saliba back fit. Otherwise, Jurriën Timber would partner Piero Hincapié in defence, with Gabriel still sidelined.
Kai Havertz may not feature until the new year.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Aston Villa
Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Aston Villa (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapié, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard; Saka, Merino, Eze.