By Dorcas Francis Koji
Arsenal will aim to preserve their perfect start to the Premier League season when they visit Aston Villa at Villa Park on Monday evening, with both sides heading into the clash under very different circumstances.
The match, scheduled for 8pm, pits an Arsenal side buoyed by an opening-day victory over Coventry against a Villa team still searching for stability following a major overhaul of their squad.
Arsenal have enjoyed an impressive record in their opening away fixtures in recent seasons, winning their first away league game in each of the last four campaigns while keeping clean sheets on every occasion.
However, the Gunners have never managed to win their opening away fixture in five successive Premier League seasons.
Villa, meanwhile, are looking to recover from a disappointing start after suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat away to Brighton, with all four goals arriving before half-time.
The defeat came after a busy summer in which several key members of the squad that helped Villa secure Champions League football and win the Europa League last season departed.
Morgan Rogers joined Chelsea in a £117m deal, Youri Tielemans moved to Manchester United, Lucas Digne signed for Paris Saint-Germain and Ezri Konsa switched to Arsenal. Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez have also left the club.
Only five players who started Villa’s Europa League final victory over Freiburg remain at the club.
Konsa could make his Arsenal debut against his former employers after completing his move to the Gunners.
Bruno Guimaraes is also in contention to make his Premier League debut for Arsenal after recovering from the groin problem that kept him out following the Community Shield.
Jurrien Timber is closing in on a return from injury but could miss Monday’s encounter, while William Saliba remains sidelined with a long-term back problem.
Villa will be without Joao Gomes following his dismissal against Brighton, while Amadou Onana is expected to miss the majority of the season after suffering an ACL injury.
Johann Manzambi is also unavailable, while Tammy Abraham is dealing with a groin problem. Brian Madjo missed the opening league fixture because of a knock.
New arrivals Nicolas Jackson, Zion Suzuki, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Leon Goretzka could all be handed their Villa debuts.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has backed his former Manchester City colleague Unai Emery to turn Villa’s fortunes around despite their poor opening result.
Arteta described Emery as one of the Premier League’s most experienced and successful managers and praised Villa’s achievements during the previous campaign.
He insisted that Villa’s heavy defeat to Brighton should not be viewed as a reflection of their overall quality.
“What Villa did last year and how they finished, it was an incredible season. It’s just one game and that’s it – I’m sure he will turn it around,” Arteta said.
Arsenal have won 15 Premier League matches at Villa Park, making it the stadium where they have recorded the most away victories in the competition.
The Gunners, however, suffered defeat on their most recent visit last season, when Emiliano Buendia scored a stoppage-time winner to give Villa a 2-1 victory after Leandro Trossard had cancelled out Matty Cash’s opener.
Arsenal have also won seven of their last 10 evening Premier League meetings with Villa, including each of their last three.
Villa, though, have won four of their seven home league matches against Arsenal since returning to the Premier League in 2019.
The hosts have also won their last three home Premier League matches against reigning champions.
Villa’s attacking form remains a concern, having failed to score in five of their last six Premier League matches in August, including their last four across the past two seasons.
John McGinn provides one of their brightest attacking threats, having either scored or assisted in each of his last six appearances at Villa Park in all competitions, producing five goals and two assists.
For Arsenal, Kai Havertz has been particularly effective away from home, contributing to seven goals in his last nine appearances on the road, with five goals and two assists.
Jarred Gillett has been appointed referee for the encounter.
Neil Davies and Steve Meredith will serve as assistant referees, while Sam Barrott has been named fourth official.
James Bell will oversee VAR duties, with Nick Hopton acting as assistant VAR.
With Arsenal seeking another victory to maintain their flawless start and Villa desperate to respond to their opening-day setback, Monday’s clash promises to be a stern test for both sides.
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