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Arsenal look forward to the fitness of Mat Ryan when they travel to Aston Villa for lunch. The Gunners will seek revenge after their 3-0 capitulation at the hands of Dean Smith’s team in November.
Mikel Arteta will not have the starting goalkeeper Bernd Leno for the contest.
The German was sent off for the week in surprising circumstances, after deliberately manipulating the ball outside the box in a 2-1 loss to Wolves.
Brighton assignee Ryan has not attended training while recovering from a hip injury.
The Australian arrived from the Gaviotas until the end of the season last month and could make his Arsenal debut today, if he’s fit.
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Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka are ready to keep their places at the base of midfield.
Martin Odegaard will have to be patient as he awaits his first outing at Arsenal.
On the left wing, Nicolas Pepe’s good shot at Wolves is expected to be rewarded with another outing.
Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka are also expected to maintain their place behind Alexandre Lacazette.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been absent for several games due to personal reasons, but was involved again at the Wolves.
They are unlikely to be directly remembered in the starting eleven as he seeks to rebuild fitness levels.
Arteta believes that all players, including Aubameyang, must fight for their place on the team.
“At the end of the day, we have to play with the players who are in the best shape and everyone has to earn the right to play and participate in the games,” he said.
“That’s what everyone is doing, pushing each other to raise the bar. You can see that the level has risen because everyone is playing their best.
“There is still room for improvement, so everyone has to keep pushing.”
Expected Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Runarsson; Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Cedric; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Smith Rowe, Pepe; Lacazette.
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