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Arsenal vs Aston Villa preview: How to watch, predicted lineups, score prediction & injury updates

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on November 08, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alastair Grant - Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on November 08, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alastair Grant - Pool/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Alex Runarsson
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 02: Runar Alex Runarsson of Arsenal (Photo by Sam Bagnall – AMA/Getty Images) /

Arsenal Team News

It’s all about the goalkeeping situation, isn’t it?

Kieran Tierney‘s absence from the last few fixtures hasn’t been felt as much as anticipated, but similar sentiments won’t be echoed if Runarsson starts in net on Saturday.

Mat Ryan has not been able to train this week and it will be a late call on whether he is ready to play, as confirmed by Arteta.

"“He has not been available to train yet, and Alex is available, so we will have the choice between the two of them for the weekend,” he said. “If Mat is able to train, and they are both fit, we will have a decision to make. If Mat is not fit, obviously Alex will be in goal.”"

Cedric looks set to continue at left-back with no definitive time set on Tierney’s return, only that the issue is different to any previous ones and has to be monitored accordingly. Given the outlook, Villa will seemingly come too soon.

Dani Ceballos returned to the bench for the Wolves match and is now fully fit, with the same expected of Pablo Mari who has been recovering from a calf problems. Despite that, Gabriel looks set to start after the news broke that Arsenal failed in their efforts to have David Luiz’s red card against Wolves overturned.

They didn’t bother with Leno’s, understandably.

As with Saturday’s hosts, they are without Kourtney Hause and Wesley are their only absentees as Smith has a full strength side to choose from.

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