After five wins in a row in the Premier League ,Wednesday night's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool was something of a reality check for Arsenal. The Gunners more than held their own for about 50 minutes of the game but it ultimately swung as Martin Odegaard failed to take a golden opportunity before Aaron Ramsdale let a Diogo Jota shot beat him at his near post, with Roberto Firmino flicking in a second minutes later.
"It was the difference today," said a philosophical Mikel Arteta in his post-match press conference of his side's failure to be more clinical. "I don’t think there was any other difference in the game apart from that. I think we have closed that gap a lot but it wasn’t enough because when we opened the door they went through it and scored two goals. I’m not happy with the goals we conceded but it’s part of the game and when you have the chances against them you have to hurt them and get something out of that."
Now though the Spaniard faces the task of picking his side back up again almost immediately. They face a tricky trip to Aston Villa in the Saturday lunchtime fixture. Villa have shown some good form under Steven Gerrard's men, but Arsenal know this is a must-win if they want top four this year. As a result correct team selection is essential.
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Arteta has already expressed his displeasure at the quick turnaround of fixtures due to the impact it could have on his players, but insisted they will be ready for what awaits them at Villa Park. "Yes 100%," he said when asked if the Gunners squad would be able to compete. "Don’t worry on Saturday the players will be there with energy. They will sleep, eat well. But thank you so much to the Premier League for putting the fixtures like this. Very, very helpful." Here football.london's Arsenal writers Kaya Kaynak, Chris Wheatley and Tashan Deniran-Alleyne decide who they would pick for the crucial clash.
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne - Arsenal writer
With Mikel Arteta complaining about Arsenal having a 12.30pm kick-off three days after a Wednesday night fixture, naturally changes are to be expected to freshen things up.
Problem is, it's difficult to see who will be rested. Despite Aaron Ramsdale's costly mistake against Liverpool, the back four in front of him has been settled in recent weeks and I don't see Arteta wanting to disrupt his defence. Even if Takehiro Tomiyasu passes a late fitness test, Cedric Soares is my pick to continue at right-back.
The midfield trio of Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard has been the catalyst to Arsenal's good run that has seen them take control of the top-four race and, once again, there's no reason to tinker with a winning formula provided there are no fitness issues.
That said, if Arteta is to make any changes, it will be in attack. Bukayo Saka looked shattered in midweek so this could be a chance for Nicolas Pepe to replicate what he did against Wolves last month, whilst Emile Smith Rowe can come back into the side - although not at the expense of Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian was Arsenal's biggest threat against Liverpool and the only way to get him and Smith Rowe in the same side is for one to play through the middle. Arteta has previously suggested the latter has all the tools to lead the line and Saturday might be the perfect time to unleash the England international in a new role.
Deniran-Alleyne's XI vs Aston Villa - Ramsdale; Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Odegaard, Xhaka; Pepe, Smith Rowe, Martinelli.
Kaya Kaynak - Arsenal writer
Mikel Arteta was unhappy about the packed nature of Arsenal's fixture list over these two games, and while I'm not exactly sympathetic to that given the lack of matches the Gunners have had throughout the season, I do expect this to impact his team selection for Aston Villa.
I would have Aaron Ramsdale keep his place in order to help bounce back from his error on Wednesday night, while the usual back two of Gabriel and Ben White would continue.
I wouldn't look to change things at right back. Even if Takehiro Tomiyasu is fit, Cedric was brilliant for most of the game against Liverpool, so why rush the Japanese defender back before the international break.
I would look to be a little bit more careful over on the left though. Kieran Tierney will definitely play every minute for Scotland in the international window, and his body has not generally coped well with playing too many games in quick succession. As a result it seems like the perfect time to bring Nuno Tavares out of the cold, particularly with how well he played against Villa in the return fixture at the Emirates.
Thomas Partey has also struggled with injuries but with his form he's undroppable for me. I'd start him in an unchanged midfield alongside the robust Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard.
I don't think you can really afford to drop Alexandre Lacazette while Bukayo Saka is equally crucial. However, over on the left wing I might change things. Gabriel Martinelli was sensational vs Liverpool, but again he is a player who has struggled with injuries in the past, so why not give a fully fit Emile Smith Rowe a chance before he heads off to the England camp next week.
Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa - Ramsdale; Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tavares; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Lacazette, Smith Rowe.
Chris Wheatley - Chief Arsenal correspondent
Mikel Arteta thinks Arsenal played well against Liverpool on Wednesday night and I happen to agree with him. So why change things too much?
Ramsdale deserves a chance to bounce back from his error given how good he's been for most of the season, while Cedric should keep his place based on form right now regardless of how fit Takehiro Tomiyasu is.
Thomas Partey has been working to improve his strength and as a result I'd back him to be physically capable of playing three games in a week, even if he did get injured a lot last season. There are no questions over Granit Xhaka's ability to play every minute, while Martin Odegaard is undroppable for me.
I don't really see to much of a reason to alter things up top either. Gabriel Martinelli was the man of the match on Wednesday and should keep his place even if Emile Smith Rowe is fit. Meanwhile Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette both had decisions go against them at Villa Park last season. With that added motivation I'd throw them in to put things right this time around.
Wheatley's Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa - Ramsdale; Cedric, Gabriel, White, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Lacazette.
