Arsenal face Aston Villa tonight at the Emirates in their 5th Premier League game of the season. The Gunners will hope to record a 5th straight win at the start of the season for the 4th time ever.

Aston Villa have won just one of their opening Premier League matches this season (1W 3L) but lost each of their last 2 matches against Arsenal. Steven Gerrard will be hoping to rally his troops for at least a point in North London.

Arsenal did a double over Villa last season (1-0, 3-1) but the visitors did same in the season before (3-0, 1-0). Each of the last 10 matches between Arsenal and Villa at the Emirates produced at 3 goals each.

The Gunnere have won eight of their last 11 Premier League matches against Aston Villa (L3) and lost just one of their last eight Premier League matches played on Wednesdays (W6 D1). Villa have won just one of their last 10 games on Wednesday.

Arteta would be without Zinchenko and Thomas Partey after they missed out of the 2-1 victory over Fulham on Saturday. Mo Elneny is also expected to miss the Villa visit after picking up a hamstring on Saturday. With the fixtures piling up, the recent injuries will be a worry for the Manager.

Expect Arteta to make at least a change to the XI that defeated Fulham. Lokonga should come in for El Neny and we should see a debut for Fabio Vieira.

I am wondering what Tomiyasu need to do to displace White from the starting XI. Nketiah had a positive input against Fulham. Is that enough yo break into the XI?

Predicted XI: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney, Lokonga, Xhaka, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus.

A win for Arsenal intensifies the claim for Arteta to be awarded the PL Manager of the month. Gabriel Jesus could make a claim for the PL player of the month if he finds the net tonight.

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