Mikel Arteta is set for a major defensive boost as his Arsenal side prepare to host high-flying Aston Villa in a pivotal Premier League showdown this evening. The Gunners reclaimed top spot with a gritty 2-1 victory over Brighton at the weekend but now face a stern examination against Unai Emery's Villa, who are just three points behind and riding an incredible 11-game winning streak across all competitions.
Defensive Reinforcements Return for Gunners
The most significant positive for Arsenal is the return of Brazilian defender Gabriel. The centre-back made his comeback from a mid-November injury with a substitute appearance against Brighton and is now in contention to start against Villa. His potential reinstatement would see the formidable partnership with William Saliba restored at the heart of the backline.
Further back, Jurrien Timber, who missed the Brighton match with a minor knock, is hopeful of returning at right-back. This would allow Declan Rice to move back into his preferred central midfield role after filling in defensively last time out. However, left-back Riccardo Calafiori remains a doubt after feeling discomfort during the warm-up on Saturday.
"It's something that he felt yesterday, it's something very awkward that happened and today in the warm-up, he wasn't comfortable," Arteta confirmed. This uncertainty may see the manager opt for caution, with Myles Lewis-Skelly or Piero Hincapie potentially deputising. Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, and Max Dowman are longer-term absentees.
Attacking Decisions for Arteta
Arteta may also consider changes in attack as he seeks more cutting edge against a resilient Villa. Gabriel Martinelli, who made a brief cameo off the bench on Saturday, could be in line to replace Leandro Trossard on the left wing.
The central striking position is another area of debate. Following another quiet performance from Viktor Gyokeres, Arteta might be tempted to hand Gabriel Jesus his first league start since recovering from a serious knee injury. The Brazilian's return to the matchday squad would be a timely boost, with Kai Havertz also pushing for inclusion after a long layoff.
Kick-Off Details and How to Watch
The crucial Premier League encounter between Arsenal and Aston Villa kicks off at 8.15pm on Tuesday 30 December. The match will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event. Subscribers can also stream the action via the Sky Go app or NOW TV.
With the title race heating up, this fixture promises to be a defining moment in the season for both clubs. Arsenal's returning stars will need to be at their best to halt the remarkable momentum of an Aston Villa side full of confidence.
