Arsenal have been hampered with injuries ahead of their Premier League clash against Aston Villa with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny set to miss out.
The Gunners have enjoyed a stellar start to the new campaign, winning all four opening games as they maintained their 100% record with a brilliant comeback win against Fulham last weekend. Mikel Arteta has played down talk of a potential title challenge claiming his players must 'focus on the next game'.
Arsenal take on Villa who have struggled at the start of the new season after losing three of their opening four games with pressure mounting on Steven Gerrard. The north London outfit have been hit with a slight injury crisis in midfield ahead of the clash, with both Partey and Elneny set to miss out.
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Partey is unlikely to be risked after sustaining a thigh injury during training, whilst Elneny picked up a hamstring issue during the win over Fulham, football.london understands. Speaking on the injuries ahead of the Villa clash, Arteta said: "We still have to make another scan, especially on Thomas, to see the length - similar area, hopefully not as bad."
The Gunners boss will be keen for his side to continue their winning run, boosted by a potential return for Oleksandr Zinchenko to the matchday squad after suffering a knee sprain last week. With that said, football.london takes a look at a few possible ways Arsenal can line-up this evening.
Albert Sambi Lokonga chance
Mikel Arteta could look to Albert Sambi Lokonga to start alongside Granit Xhaka in midfield against Villa, with the Spaniard's options limited in that area following Partey and Elneny's injuries. The youngster was linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium this summer but opted to stay and fight for a place in the first team.
Lokonga may now have a chance to show his quality and prove to Arteta that he can make a difference in this Arsenal side. The Spanish manager may switch formations to allow more cover in midfield, dropping Odegaard back into a flat three-man midfield, or he may keep the club captain more advanced and partner Xhaka with Lokonga.
Line-up: Ramsdale; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Tierney; Xhaka, Lokonga; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus.
Oleksandr Zinchenko versatility
Summer signing Zinchenko has had a brilliant start to life in north London. The Ukrainian defender joined the Gunners from Manchester City and made an instant impact after registering an assist in the opening day win against Crystal Palace.
Zinchenko has already showed his quality in Arteta's team but was left out of the win over Fulham as a precaution after sustaining a sprained knee. Kieran Tierney was able to deputise after recovering from injury and it remains to be seen whether the Scotland international continues on at left-back against Villa.
Zinchenko may instead be utilised in a central midfield role with the injuries to Partey and Elneny causing Arteta a slight selection headache. The 25-year-old plays in midfield for his country and has the technical attributes required to perform in that role.
Line-up: Ramsdale; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Tierney; Xhaka, Zinchenko; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus.
Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe return
New signing Fabio Vieira could be in line to make his official debut for the Gunners after fully recovering from injury. The Portuguese playmaker signed for Arsenal after completing a £35million move from FC Porto. Vieira is yet to feature in Arteta's team after suffering a foot injury that saw him miss the majority of pre-season.
The 22-year-old has now fully recovered from injury and featured for the under-21s earlier this month in an effort to get up to speed and get some minutes in his legs. Arteta may look to rotate his squad ahead of a hectic fixture schedule heading into September with the start of the Europa League group stage next week.
Should the Spaniard look to rotate his options, it could see Bukayo Saka be rested after the England international has only registered one goal contribution in the opening four games of the season, whilst the likes of Ben White and Gabriel Martinelli could also be given a rest with Emile Smith Rowe and Takehiro Tomiyasu coming into the team. Vieira played predominantly on the right-wing for Porto and could slot in for Saka against Villa, however the Portuguese talent can also fill in at central midfield.
Line-up: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Saliba, Tierney; Xhaka, Zinchenko; Vieira, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Jesus
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