£38m Aston Villa midfielder suspended for Arsenal game
Aston Villa midfielder Joao Gomes will be suspended for the Premier League clash against Arsenal at Villa Park on August 31.
The Gunners started their league title defence with a convincing 3-0 win over newly promoted Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium on Friday evening.
Kai Havertz opened the scoring before Bukayo Saka doubled the lead. Martin Odegaard put the gloss on the performance with a third goal, shortly after the interval.
The Premier League holders will face Villa on the road next, and ahead of the encounter, they have received a potential boost with Gomes ruled out.
The Brazil international had a forgettable league debut for Villa against Brighton & Hove Albion and was handed his marching orders in the 40th minute.
Gomes made a high-profile error that led to Brighton’s fourth goal. He was sent off for violent conduct soon after for kicking out at Georginio Rutter.
As a result, the £38 million signing will be suspended for the next three league games against Arsenal, Hull City and Nottingham Forest.
His absence is an obvious boost for the Gunners, given that the 25-year-old has been involved throughout pre-season for the Midlands outfit.
His suspension means Lamare Bogarde could be slotted into the heart of the midfield, but the 22-year-old has not been the most convincing.
Summer signing Yohan Manzambi is still under rehabilitation after his unfortunate knee injury at the World Cup while playing for Switzerland.
Leon Goretzka has just arrived on a free transfer, but the German ace may not be up to speed, given that he has not played since the World Cup.
Hence, Villa manager Unai Emery has a huge concern on his hands. Captain John McGinn could end up playing deep alongside Boubacar Kamara.
For Arsenal, they have the perfect opportunity to avenge last season’s 2-1 defeat at Villa Park.
The Villans suffered a heavy 4-0 loss to Brighton with 10 men on the road, and there is a genuine lack of cohesion in the XI after several summer exits.
Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez did not make the South Coast trip, and they could also head for the exit door before the transfer window closes.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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