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Arsenal head to in-form Aston Villa on Saturday hoping to put further pressure on the chasing pack in the Premier League title race.
The Gunners defeated Brentford 2-0 in midweek after being held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Chelsea at Stamford Bridge — a result that allowed Manchester City to close to within five points at the top of the standings.
Unai Emery's Villa are just a point further back and could consider themselves potential outsiders in the title race should they defeat Arsenal at Villa Park.
With Mikel Arteta having to manage the minutes of some of his key players carefully, this could be a tough test for the leaders to navigate.
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Arsenal lineup vs. Aston Villa: Projected starting XI
Formation: 4-3-3
Raya (GK)
White, Timber, Hincapie, Calafiori
Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice
Saka, Merino, Eze
Arsenal team news
Arteta has some concerns over midfield talisman Declan Rice, who went off with 10 minutes to go against Brentford and is touch-and-go to be available for this game.
William Saliba and Leandro Trossard are also facing late fitness tests after missing the past two matches. Cristhian Mosquera is unlikely to play due to an ankle injury sustained in midweek, and with Gabriel not expected back until late December, Jurrien Timber may be required to fill in at centre-back.
Viktor Gyokeres came off the bench against Brentford, but Arteta will likely stick with Mikel Merino as the starting striker as he eases the Sweden star back into action gradually.
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Arsenal injury list
Below is the latest injury picture for Arsenal, and estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Cristhian Mosquera
- Injury: Ankle
- Expected return date: Unknown
Mosquera seemed to land awkwardly on his ankle in the win over Brentford, and Arteta described the injury as "complicated" a few days later. Further tests will determine when he is likely to be back.
William Saliba
- Injury: Knock
- Expected return date: Mid December
Despite playing 90 minutes against Tottenham in late November, William Saliba missed the following game against Chelsea due to a knock, or a "niggle" as Mikel Arteta put it.
The boss said on December 2 that it was "a matter of days" for Saliba to return to the pitch, which most likely brings him back for either the trip to Aston Villa on December 6, or the ensuing Champions League visit to Belgium against Club Brugge on December 10.
Gabriel
- Injury: Thigh
- Expected return date: Late December
A mainstay of Arsenal's imperious defence, Gabriel limped off early in the second half of Brazil's 2-0 friendly triumph against Senegal. Arteta did not give an exact prognosis for his expected return but stated "weeks," as opposed to months.
Arteta said during a press conference on November 28 that "it's not going to be that long," but then stated on December 2 that it was still "a matter of weeks" before Gabriel would be fit for a return.
Kai Havertz
- Injury: Knee
- Expected return date: Late December
Havertz had a minor operation after damaging his knee in the opening win over Manchester United. Mikel Arteta is eager not to rush him back as the manager wants to keep the player fully fit for as long as possible.
After the November international break was the initial target for his return, but while still sidelined in early December, Arteta confirmed that the German had suffered a setback in his recovery. "A matter of weeks" Arteta said for his impending return, and said "I don't know" when asked when Havertz could be seen again on the pitch.
Gabriel Jesus
- Injury: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) (left knee)
- Expected return date: December 2025
Jesus has not played since suffering a serious knee injury in January 2025. Ahead of the Chelsea match, he played in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Arsenal's training ground, a significant step in his recovery.
Aston Villa vs. Arsenal match details
- Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
- Kickoff time: 12:30 p.m. Local / 7:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. PT / 11:30 p.m. AEDT
- Location: Villa Park (Birmingham, UK)
- Competition: Premier League matchweek 15
- Referee: Peter Bankes
- VAR: Darren England