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Arsenal vs Aston Villa preview: How to watch, lineups, Arteta’s future & prediction

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Dean Smith, Manager of Aston Villa shakes hands with Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal 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 Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Dean Smith, Manager of Aston Villa shakes hands with Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal 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 Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Saka
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 18: Aaron Ramsdale and Nicolas Pepe hold back Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal after a foul on Bukayo Saka during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on October 18, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Arsenal Team News vs Aston Villa – Will Bukayo Saka Be Fit?

Nobody is excusing the performance on Monday, but holy hell how did James McArthur escape a red card for his brutal, and clearly intended, assault on Bukayo Saka?

The man scythed him down deliberately. There is no argument to make that he couldn’t see Saka, especially since it came moments after the 20-year-old had just fouled him.

That’s water under the bridge now but the impact of that kick was hard enough that it forced Arteta to take the forward off at half-time of the 2-2 draw. You’d like to think it was just a sore one and he’ll carry on, though.

Gabriel Martinelli featured late on as he allayed fears over picking up a minor knock, with the only remaining absentee being Granit Xhaka with his long-term knee problem.

There may have been a few knocks, which will become knowledge later on.

As for opposing manager Smith, he withdrew Douglas Luiz, Matty Cash and Emiliano Buendia in their 3-2 loss with Wolves, citing all three as dealing with ‘tiredness’. The trio are expected to return on Friday.

It’s unlikely that Bertrand Troare will, but Leon Bailey and Morgan Sanson are both battling to make the team. Trezeguet is the definite absentee with a long-term knee injury, while Keinan Davis will also miss out.

Continued on next page…

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