Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Aston Villa: Predicted starting XI – Reiss Nelson anyone?

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Reiss Nelson of Arsenal in action during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and Olympique Lyonnais at the Emirates Stadium on July 28, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Reiss Nelson of Arsenal in action during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and Olympique Lyonnais at the Emirates Stadium on July 28, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, David Luiz
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 24: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and David Luiz of Arsenal have a discussion after during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on August 24, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Centre-Backs

Sokratis is one of only three outfield players to play all 450 minutes of the Premier League campaign thus far. He did not travel to Frankfurt in the week, Unai Emery citing a need for him to be rested. He will start, then, otherwise why rest him?

His partner will most likely be David Luiz. Calum Chambers is pushing hard for another league appearance and will get another chance to impress in the EFL Cup next Tuesday, while Rob Holding is still waiting for his first appearance of the season after returning from an ACL tear. For now, then, Luiz and Sokratis continue at the heart of the defence.

However, neither have been especially convincing of late, Luiz conceding two silly penalties and Sokratis making several high-profile errors that have led directly to goals. They will continue as the starting centre-back duo for now, but the pressure is mounting.