Arsenal travel to Aston Villa knowing anything less than a victory against their former head coach will see the pressure intensify greater than ever this season. Three games in the league without a win and now second in the table despite having a game in hand, Manchester City have built momentum and seeded doubt in their rivals.
Mikel Arteta won this clash last year with a sole Bukayo Saka goal. However, Arsenal in this dip of form needs to find a way out with rotation likely to be a major factor having played less than three days ago.
Emile Smith Rowe could return to the squad and questions remain over Thomas Partey's fitness. Opportunities could come knocking for Leandro Trossard and Kieran Tierney whilst there are suggestions that the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah are in need of some rest and recovery.
READ MORE: Kieran Tierney has proven Gabriel Martinelli myth wrong as Arsenal consider Aston Villa changes
Luckily, football.london's Arsenal writers Kaya Kaynak, Tom Canton and editor Hush Kerai are on hand to offer their assistance to the Spanish tactician with regard to the big decisions all over the selection. Below, they name their respective starting line-ups for the away side against Aston Villa.
Tom Canton – Arsenal Writer
Changes are needed and with the game against Aston Villa just three days after the disappointing defeat to Manchester City there are both tactical and physical reasons to make them. Arsenal need to find form again and bringing in some fresh faces certainly could help to both give them life and make it harder for Unai Emery and Aston Villa to anticipate what the Gunners might do.
Eddie Nketiah looked shattered on Wednesday night having started and completed every game since the World Cup. At least Gabriel Jesus could get a rest when substituted earlier in the season, and now Leandro Trossard is here the Belgian could offer the reprieve Nketiah needs to recharge.
Ben White comes straight back in for Takehiro Tomiyasu and in midfield and at left-back there’s some serious scope for changes. Granit Xhaka, like Nketiah, could do with a rest and having Oleksandr Zinchenko means he slots into the left-eight role seamlessly.
At left-back, Kieran Tierney can provide a more direct approach and with Zinchenko ahead of him Arsenal don’t lose the mobility they possess with his alternative style to the position. Most of all, The Gunners need to win and three points is the only perfect way to respond to the recent disappointments.
Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa: Ramsdale ; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Jorginho, Zinchenko, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Trossard.
Hush Kerai – Content Editor
Both Zinchenko and Tomiyasu had questionable performances against Manchester City, with the latter being in an awkward run of form after coming back into the team for White. With such a short turnaround between the games, I feel both Tierney and White deserve their chance to get back into the full-back positions.
The left side of our attack has become less effective in recent weeks too. As we do not really possess a direct replacement for Xhaka - who I feel may need a game or two out of the side now - it's Gabriel Martinelli, another player who isn't firing on all cylinders, who should make way for Trossard to come in.
Arsenal simply have to win at Villa Park to keep the flame going on their title challenge after no wins in three, not rotating the players who have dipped in form would be negligent from Arteta.
Kerai's Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa: Ramsdale; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Tierney; Xhaka, Jorginho, Odegaard; Saka, Trossard, Nketiah.
Kaya Kaynak – Chief Arsenal writer
After a tough run, I think it's time for Arsenal to make some changes ahead of the trip to Villa Park. Of course, Aaron Ramsdale stays in the starting XI but in the back four, I'm making a few alterations.
At right-back I'd bring Ben White in after Takehiro Tomiyasu's horror show against City. I also think that it's time to switch things up at left-back. Against another low block, I think Kieran Tierney would be a better pick than Alex Zinchenko in those wide spaces so I'd bring him in, with William Saliba and Gabriel staying in the middle.
I wouldn't take a gamble on Thomas Partey's fitness, especially after how well Jorginho played in midfield. Even though he's out of form, I think Granit Xhaka is still a better option than Fabio Vieira while Martin Odegaard has to play.
On the left, I think it's time for Leandro Trossard to get a nod ahead of Gabriel Martinelli just to freshen things up. Eddie Nketiah just about keeps his spot up top while Bukayo Saka is an obvious pick on the right.
Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Jorginho, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Trossard, Nketiah.
What changes would you make? Have your say via our team selector below
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