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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WATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Sead Kolasinac of Arsenal clears from Will Hughes of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Arsenal FC at Vicarage Road on September 15, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Sead Kolasinac of Arsenal clears from Will Hughes of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Arsenal FC at Vicarage Road on September 15, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

Full-Backs

Both Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney played their first football of the season on Friday, featuring for the Arsenal under-23s. That is a very good sign as they continue their rehabilitation, but they will not be ready for Sunday. Perhaps Tuesday’s EFL Cup would be a good opportunity to ease them back into senior action.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Bellerin’s deputy, is one of the three outfield players to play every Premier League minute. But he was rested on Thursday night and should be in line to return to the team. Sead Kolasinac, on the other hand, limped off late on in the Frankfurt victory, replaced by Maitland-Niles. His availability is still up in the air.

After selling Nacho Monreal in the summer, Arsenal do not really have any other viable options at left-back. Thankfully, Unai Emery said after the Frankfurt match that Kolasinac’s withdrawal was precautionary and that he should be fine for Sunday. With few other alternatives, I expect Emery to rush Kolasinac back into action.