Arsenal are set to face Aston Villa on Saturday evening, seeking to avoid a repeat of last season’s disappointing results against Unai Emery’s side.
Villa secured a 1-0 victory at Villa Park and then stunned the Gunners with a 2-0 win at Emirates Stadium in the 2023/24 campaign.
“They are a really good side,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said ahead of the match. “If you give them space in behind, they are phenomenal.
They are great at finding space, and they pose a threat on set pieces. That’s why they achieved what they did against us.”
Arsenal aim to build on their 2-0 opening day win over Wolves, but they will be without Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney due to injury. Both defenders are still “a few weeks behind” in their recovery.
While new signing Mikel Merino is unavailable after an agreement with Real Sociedad, Eddie Nketiah is expected to travel with the squad despite ongoing speculation about his future.
“I expect Eddie to train with us today,” Arteta noted on Friday.
“He will be prepared for tomorrow. Whatever happens, will happen if it’s good for everybody.”
Fabio Vieira, who missed the season opener with a hip injury, has returned to training but is set to join Porto on loan after the Portuguese club agreed terms with Arsenal.
