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Predicted Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa: Rotation ahead of Old Trafford visit

By James Cormack

Arsenal's Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes (R) celebrates scoring a late goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Fulham at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 27, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes (R) celebrates scoring a late goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Fulham at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 27, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Mikel Arteta was finally forced into rotating his starting XI on Saturday as the Gunners prevailed 2-1 against a resilient Fulham side.

Injuries to Oleksandr Zinchenko and Thomas Partey ruled them out of the clash, with Kieran Tierney and Mohamed Elneny deputising in their absence.

The fixtures are beginning to come thick and fast for the Gunners and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Arteta rotate further on Wednesday against Aston Villa with a trip to Old Trafford on the horizon.

Predicted Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa

Here’s our predicted Arsenal XI for their upcoming Premier League clash at home to Villa in midweek.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Takehiro Tomiyasu could make his first start of the season on Wednesday. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
Takehiro Tomiyasu could make his first start of the season on Wednesday. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images) /

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – Ramsdale labelled the Emirates atmosphere on Saturday as the best he’s heard since his arrival as he made a couple of big saves to preserve Arsenal’s advantage. He’ll continue between the sticks in this one.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (RB) – Ben White has done absolutely nothing wrong. In fact, he was excellent against Fulham. But, I think Mikel Arteta will want to give Takehiro Tomiyasu more minutes and this is a decent opportunity to do so.

William Saliba (CB) – Next.

Gabriel (CB) – The quickest of redemption arcs. Saturday’s match-winner atoned for an earlier error and will continue alongside Saliba at centre-back.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – Tierney struggled to live up to Zinchenko’s lofty standards on Saturday, and I’d love to see Arteta return the Scot to his preferred function. Let him get up the pitch as much as possible!

Midfielders

Martin Odegaard starred at the weekend. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
Martin Odegaard starred at the weekend. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

Granit Xhaka (DM) – With Elneny picking up an injury in the win over Fulham and Partey poised to miss the next couple of weeks, Arteta has to reshuffle his midfield pack on Wednesday. The boss has several options, but Xhaka is the most suited to filling in at the base of midfield.

Albert Sambi Lokonga (CM) – Both White and Zinchenko could be used in midfield, but let’s give Sambi a runout eh, Mikel? The young Belgian performed well as an #8 in pre-season and he could either play more advanced in a 4-3-3 or join Xhaka in the double pivot.

Martin 0degaard (CM) – Odegaard’s status in the XI isn’t in doubt. The skipper led from the front on Saturday with a majestic display.

Forwards

Eddie Nketiah has played himself into the starting XI. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
Eddie Nketiah has played himself into the starting XI. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

Bukayo Saka (RW) – Saka may well be a contender for the bench, but I think Mikel will stick with our starboy down the right.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) – The transformative Jesus blanked on Saturday but he’ll be licking his lips with a vulnerable Villa side coming to town.

Eddie Nketiah (LW) – Eddie’s cameo helped turn the tide on Saturday and he may well have played himself into Arteta’s XI. The forward is adept off the left, but the marauding runs of Tierney mean he’ll practically play alongside Jesus.