Aston Villa vs Arsenal: Predicted starting 11 for Gunners' trip to Villa Park
Arsenal make the trip to face Aston Villa at Villa Park on Monday night as they hit the road for the first time this Premier League season.
The Gunners made the perfect start to the campaign with a crushing 3-0 win over newly promoted Coventry City last time out. Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard all got on the scoresheet as the champions cruised to victory on the opening night.
As his side look to make it two wins from two, Mikel Arteta will no doubt field the strongest team possible and that will see him follow the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" rule with the Spaniard likely to deploy the same XI that overcame the Sky Blues.
Here's how Arsenal could line up against Aston Villa.
David Raya (GK) - Two clean sheets in his first two games this season. Enough said.
Ben White (RB) - He looked back to his best against Coventry and with Jurrien Timber still unavailable through injury, White will continue at right back tomorrow night.
Cristhian Mosquera (CB) - Plenty expected Ezri Konsa to displace Mosquera for this one, but the Spaniard was excellent in his side's opener so he has earned the right for a second straight start.
Gabriel Magalhães (CB) - His showing against Coventry wasn't his best as he looked slightly shakey at times, but there is absolutely no way he won't start at Villa Park.
Riccardo Calafiori (LB) - The Italian Stallion will no doubt remain the starting left back despite facing a fight from Piero Hincapié. His attacking and defensive contributions in the season-opening win were a testament to how well he can do this year.
Martin Ødegaard (CM) - He put in a true captain's display last time out and grabbed a goal to cap off a superb performance. Ødegaard will start away to Villa as he looks to continue the fine run of form he finds himself in.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (CM) - It's unlikely Bruno Guimarães will start if he does make his return from injury so that allows Lewis-Skelly, another player who made a great start, to remain the first choice in midfield.
Declan Rice (CM) - Rice will need a rest at some point, but he will very likely start in the middle of the park as he looks to provide plenty of threat in open play and from set pieces.
Bukayo Saka (RW) - He combined brilliantly down the right flank with White and Ødegaard in the win over Coventry and he will look to do the same again, as well as being eager to add to the goal he struck in the victory.
Kai Havertz (ST) - Two goals from two starts should be enough to keep Viktor Gyökeres at bay for the time being, but as Havertz starts up top once again, he will know that he has to perform well to hold the place.
Christos Tzolis (LW) - As the club's only out-and-out option on the left flank, Tzolis will start once again on the wing, but there is no doubt he would've regardless of squad depth after his performance against Coventry.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Aston Villa: Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Ødegaard, Lewis-Skelly, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Tzolis
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