Arsenal predicted lineup vs Aston Villa - Premier League

Manchester City's unrelenting ability to win means Arsenal can ill-afford to fall behind early, but the Gunners have a big test in the Premier League on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta's side travel to Villa Park to face the only team that completed the league double over them last season in Unai Emery's Aston Villa.

Both Arsenal and City succumbed in Villa's home cauldron last December, but the Gunners will benefit from having Arteta on the touchline this time around.

After securing a routine 2-0 win over Wolves to open up 2024/25, Arsenal are aiming to secure a statement win on Saturday evening and lay down their title credentials at this very early stage.

Here's how Arteta could set his Arsenal side up at Villa on Saturday.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Aston Villa (4-3-3)

GK: David Raya - The Golden Glove holder started with a familiar clean sheet last weekend, although he was made to work for his shut-out by Wolves. The Spaniard should be pretty busy at Villa Park.

RB: Ben White - Arteta's go-to man down the right has been as reliable as any Gunner in 2024. White will feature heavily for Arsenal this season.

CB: William Saliba - The Frenchman was far from his best last weekend and can ill-afford another shaky outing given the proficiency of Villa's forwards. Saliba typically saves his best for the big occasion.

CB: Gabriel - Gabriel was out of the starting XI this time last year. However, the Brazilian soon returned to the fold and produced the best season of his senior career. Like Saliba, Gabriel will be tested by a balanced and physical Villa frontline.

LB: Jurrien Timber - Oleksandr Zinchenko struggled against Villa last season and Arteta would be taking a considerable risk by playing him on Saturday after he got the nod last weekend. Timber offers much greater defensive security.

CM: Declan Rice - Rice looked leggy as the number eight last week and Arteta could drop him into a deeper role given Thomas Partey's unreliability in the build-up phase. Rice must also improve in this department but he at least provides elite recovery running in the middle of the park.

CM: Martin Odegaard - Villa, as they did twice last season, will congest the centre and attempt to make life difficult for Arsenal's captain. Expect Odegaard to drop deep in a bid to have an effect on proceedings.

CM: Kai Havertz - While Havertz has been incredibly productive as Arsenal's number nine, Arteta may prefer his surges from a deeper position in this one. His late runs into the channel were successful against Villa's high defensive line at the Emirates last season.

RW: Bukayo Saka - There's an increasing inevitability surrounding Saka, who confirmed Arsenal's win last weekend with an emphatic finish. The winger delivers all the key moments.

ST: Gabriel Jesus - Jesus had a fine pre-season and works well in tandem with Havertz. The pair could interchange in a bid to befuddle and get in behind the Villa defence.

LW: Gabriel Martinelli - Martinelli could do with a big evening at Villa Park, but there will be plenty of space for the speedy Brazilian to exploit. Can he make the most of it?

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