Arsenal are without William Saliba for this evening’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa.
There had been speculation over Saliba’s involvement after he was seen holding his hamstring late in the win over Tottenham in midweek, and he has been left out of the squad.
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It means that Jurrien Timber shifts to centre-back alongside Gabriel, while Thomas Partey fills in at right-back.
Riccardo Calafiori remains unavailable. The Italian defender has missed each of the last three games due to injury and, while the Gunners boss Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday that the club were still checking on the fitness of a few players, Calafiori has missed out.
“We have a few decisions to make this afternoon with the medical staff, to understand whether they are in the best condition to [play] this game or the next one,” said Arteta. “We will decide that.”
Myles Lewis-Skelly keeps his place in the team and gets another start at left-back.
The 18-year-old has excelled recently and was one of Arsenal’s star performers on Wednesday night when they fought back to beat Tottenham 2-1 at home in the north London derby.
Arsenal face a packed January schedule and so there are changes further up the pitch too. Chelsea loanee Raheem Sterling started against Spurs, but he makes way for Gabriel Martinelli on the right wing, while Mikel Merino starts in midfield.
The Gunners remain light on attacking options and currently have just four fit forwards to choose from with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri all sidelined. Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are still out too.
Arsenal XI: Raya, Partey, Timber, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Merino, Rice, Odegaard, Trossard, Martinelli, Havertz
Subs: Neto, Tierney, Zinchenko, Kiwior, Kacurri, Jorginho, Butler-Oyedeji, Kabia, Sterling
Time and date: 5:30pm GMT on Saturday January 18, 2025
TV channel: Sky Sports
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
