Arsenal will be hopeful of maintaining their early season momentum when they face Aston Villa on Wednesday night.
Four wins from four, picking up 12 points from a possible 12 to the start the 2022/2023 campaign, the last remaining team across the entire Premier League to have a 100 percent winning record. It's safe to say the positive mood surrounding the Gunners is completely justified.
Whilst bigger tests await Arsenal and Mikel Arteta following victories over Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Bournemouth and Fulham, their unbeaten run and perfect record will be put to the test, even if they are facing an Aston Villa side that has lost three of their opening four games.
READ MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said on Partey and Zinchenko's fitness, Nketiah's impact and Aston Villa
However, there is some bad news for the Spaniard as he won't have a full-strength squad at his disposal, with Mohamed Elneny joining Thomas Partey and Reiss Nelson, who are also set to be unavailable. Therefore, this will leave the Gunners manager facing somewhat of a selection headache when it comes to naming his line-up.
With that said, football.london's Arsenal writers Kaya Kaynak, Tashan Deniran-Alleyne, Bailey Keogh and Tom Canton are on hand to step into the firing line and offer their assistance to Arteta by providing their say on who should start for the hosts at the Emirates Stadium.
Kaya Kaynak - Arsenal Writer
For the first time this season I think we may well see Mikel Arteta ring the changes, and with a trip to Manchester United coming up on Sunday, that's what I would do as well.
Despite his error, Gabriel can stay at the back, while I don't think you can drop either Ben White or William Saliba, but I do think there is scope for a change at left-back. Takehiro Tomiyasu did an impressive job playing in that position towards the back end of last season and with Kieran Tierney's struggles replicating the inverted Zinchenko role against Fulham, I'd throw the Japan international in.
I would also make a change at the base of midfield and look to bring in Albert Sambi Lokonga as a six. I personally prefer him as an eight and I know he's had his struggles there in the past but with Elneny unavailable, I don't see the need to risk Zinchenko for this game just yet
Up top, Bukayo Saka looked frustrated by not being able to get a goal, but I actually thought he had his best game of the season against Fulham. Still, I would look to rest the England international ahead of Sunday's game and replace him with Eddie Nketiah, who was sublime off the bench. This would see Gabriel Jesus shift over to the right wing, with Gabriel Martinelli playing on the left. Jesus and Nketiah have shown a great link up in the past so why not try it again this Wednesday.
Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Lokonga, Xhaka, Odegaard; Jesus, Nketiah, Martinelli
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne - Arsenal Writer
Games are about to come thick and fast for Arsenal over the next three weeks and it's important that we see some squad rotation just to keeps things fresh. Of course, injuries to Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny are far from ideal, but that does open up a chance for Albert Sambi Lokonga to start in midfield alongside Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard.
The Belgian will be tasked with protecting a back four which should include Takehiro Tomiyasu from the start at right-back with Ben White - despite being excellent against Fulham - dropping down to the bench. Kieran Tierney didn't have his best game at the weekend, but I'd keep him in as there's no need to rush Oleksandr Zinchenko back.
With a trip to Manchester United on the horizon, it's the perfect time to rest Bukayo Saka. He did look like his old self at times against Fulham, but I still have concerns with regards to the number of minutes he's played over the past year or so and think he should be taken out of the firing line.
In his place, I would go for perhaps a surprising option in Eddie Nketiah to operate from the left-wing with Gabriel Martinelli switching sides as the Gunners' no.14 should be rewarded for making such a positive impact off the bench against the Cottagers. If the game allows for it to happen, a cameo off the bench from summer signing Fabio Vieira would be nice.
Deniran-Alleyne's Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Lokonga, Odegaard, Xhaka, Martinelli, G. Jesus, Nketiah
Bailey Keogh - The Arsenal Way Writer
After a hard-fought win against Fulham, it is important that Mikel Arteta does not make too many changes to disrupt the team’s rhythm.
Despite Takehiro Tomiyasu seemingly now at full fitness levels, Ben White deserves to start after his excellent performances in the previous match. William Saliba should start at centre-back following his dominance alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, despite the Brazilian having shaky moments throughout the Fulham match.
The midfield must be Albert Sambi Lokonga and Granit Xhaka in a pivot due to the anticipated absence of Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was exceptional against Fulham, and his presence is still key, so he must start.
Top scorer Gabriel Jesus should lead the line for Arsenal, with Emile Smith Rowe replacing Gabriel Martinelli to give the Brazilian a well-needed rest.
Keogh's Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel,Tierney; Lokonga, Xhaka, Odegaard; Smith Rowe, Saka, Jesus
Tom Canton - The Arsenal Way Writer
It has been so easy to write these up prior to this game. No injury news to speak of and Oleksandr Zinchenko and Thomas Partey’s absence wasn’t confirmed until gameday against Fulham.
However, for not only the first midweek clash of the season but the first where injuries have been established well ahead of time, tweaks will be needed. Partey and Elneny are almost certainly out, whilst there’s a chance Zinchenko could return, although risking him ahead of the trip to Manchester United for me would be ill-advised, especially with a player as good as Kieran Tierney available.
However, the big decision is who replaces Elneny, who deputised for Partey against Fulham. For me, Albert Sambi Lokonga is beginning to flourish further forward in the No. 8 and impressed there during pre-season.
Therefore, there’s potential to see Ben White play in this No. 6 position. He has Premier League experience of playing seven times for Brighton in the defensive midfield role and has adapted to play right-back very well.
The key changes must come from the bench and earlier than usual with the trip this Sunday. A win at Old Trafford will be the expectation but not losing momentum to Villa is vital.
Canton's Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; White, Xhaka, Odegaard, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
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