The Premier League fixture list has thrown up a tasty one to close out August, with Arsenal making the trip to Villa Park on Monday evening. Kick-off is at 19:00 UTC, and the Arsenal predicted lineup is already generating plenty of conversation, largely because Mikel Arteta is walking in with a fairly significant injury problem at the back.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Aston Villa: How Arteta Could Set Up on Monday Night
Jurriën Timber and William Saliba are both ruled out, which forces Arteta’s hand in central defence. Cristhian Mosquera, the 21-year-old Spaniard who joined from Valencia in the summer for a reported fee of around £35 million, looks set for a high-pressure Premier League start alongside Gabriel. Ben White covers the right, with Riccardo Calafiori slotting in at left back. It’s not the back four Arsenal would have chosen, but Mosquera has shown enough composure in pre-season to suggest he won’t crumble on debut.
David Raya starts in goal. That’s a given at this point.
Bruno Guimarães is also absent. The Brazilian midfielder picked up a knock and doesn’t feature here either. The midfield, though, still looks imposing. Declan Rice anchors things, with Martin Ødegaard operating just ahead of him, pulling the strings as only he can. Myles Lewis-Skelly gets the nod on the left of the three, and the 19-year-old has genuinely earned that spot after a strong opening to the season.
Up top, Bukayo Saka is nailed on the right flank. Kai Havertz leads the line, bringing that tireless pressing and technical quality that Arteta trusts completely. Christos Tzolis gets the left-wing berth, a bold inclusion, but the Greek winger has looked lively and direct in recent outings.
Aston Villa arrive into this game with their own headaches. Tammy Abraham, Amadou Onana, Leon Bailey, and João Gomes, who serves a suspension, are all unavailable, which takes real quality out of Unai Emery’s side.
Arsenal, despite their defensive reshuffle, carry enough firepower to cause problems. The Arsenal predicted lineup Arteta goes with here might look unconventional on paper, but this squad has the depth to make it work.
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Arsenal (4-3-3): David Raya – Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori – Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly – Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Christos Tzolis.
