Arsenal team news: Predicted XI vs Aston Villa as Arteta makes Timber and Calafiori calls

Arsenal kicked off their title charge with a 2-0 victory over Wolves in their season opener, with Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka on the scoresheet at the Emirates Stadium.

They now face a trickier task against Aston Villa on Saturday, a fixture that they have struggled in over the years – notably last season when Unai Emery’s side put an end to the Gunners’ hopes of winning the Premier League.

Express Sport takes a look at who Mikel Arteta is likely to select to enact revenge at Villa Park…

Arsenal’s predicted XI vs Aston Villa (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Raya

With Aaron Ramsdale gradually edging closer to an exit from the Emirates Stadium, David Raya will remain as Arsenal’s No. 1 this season. The Spaniard impressed last weekend with several fine saves to keep Wolves at bay, and he will need to be at his best if he is to make it two clean sheets from two appearances.

Defence: White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber

Three-quarters of Arsenal’s backline picks itself. However, a change could be on the cards at left-back despite Oleksandr Zinchenko making a good impression last weekend and new signing Riccardo Calafiori waiting in the wings.

Arteta fuelled excitement that Jurrien Timber could be set to start against Villa when speaking on Friday afternoon, saying: “He had a really good pre-season to a point, then we had to stop him because he had a little issue there and we didn’t feel like he was ready. We have to build him up.”

Midfield: Odegaard, Partey, Rice

Declan Rice was substituted off through injury against Wolves, but Arteta has since insisted that the England international is ‘fine’ despite limping off of the pitch. As a result, Jorginho is likely to be forced to wait to make his first start of the season.

Thomas Partey will be keen to impress on Saturday given that Mikel Merino is set to join the club and intends on breaking into the Gunners’ starting 11 as soon as possible.