Thomas Partey starts as Gabriel Magalhaes decision made in dream Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa
Following the drama of the Champions League, Arsenal return to Premier League action this weekend as they host Aston Villa looking for revenge. Unai Emery was only the second manager to beat the Gunners in the league this season after a narrow 1-0 win at Villa Park.
Arsenal have made a habit of making up for defeats, beating Newcastle United, Liverpool, West Ham, RC Lens and FC Porto after being on the wrong end of losses. Mikel Arteta will be looking to make Aston Villa the next side in this sequence, but selecting the right side is a real challenge, this week in particular.
As soon as the first leg of the quarter-final against Bayern is donethe second leg is already here and Arteta needs to manage his side, play the best team to do the job whilst also knowing they fly to Germany in just a couple of days. Both Manchester City and Liverpool play before Arsenal and therefore will be aiming to pile on the pressure.
David Raya continues in goal despite again coming in for some scrutiny following some questionable decision-making earlier in the week. However, the likelihood of a switch in the position is incredibly small and so it should be as the Spaniard has had a strong 2024 overall.
In the back line having the presence of Takehiro Tomiyasu to get some valuable minutes is needed, especially as he may be called upon to play against Bayern in midweek.Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes all start despite the latter having some rumours circulating about a fitness concern.
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With Tomiyasu at left-back instead of Oleksandr Zinchenko, both Declan Rice
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