Ezri Konsa is in line to make his Arsenal debut against his former club when the Gunners take on Aston Villa tonight. The England international completed his £55 million move to the Emirates last week, unveiled to the fans ahead of the season-opening victory over Coventry City last Friday night. Konsa has trained with the first-team this week and will be available to face his former employers.
Defensive concerns for Arteta
Mikel Arteta remains without half of his regular back four with Jurrien Timber and William Saliba still sidelined. Timber has not started a game since March due to a troublesome groin injury and while he is stepping up his return plans in training, he will not be available this weekend. Saliba is a long-term absentee as he recovers from his back injury.
Guimaraes fitness doubt
Bruno Guimaraes started for the Gunners in the Community Shield victory over Manchester City earlier this month but was forced off at the break, later seen with an icepack strapped to his thigh. The Brazil international sat out of the Coventry game and has not been spotted in first-team training this week but Arteta suggested in Friday’s press conference he could yet be involved this evening.
Predicted Arsenal XI
If there are any lingering doubts over Guimaraes’ fitness, Arteta will be tempted to stick with the same starting XI that eased past Coventry last time out. It would mean Myles Lewis-Skelly keeping his place in midfield with his future looking increasingly likely to lie in north London. Kai Havertz was preferred to Viktor Gyokeres up top against Frank Lampard’s side, taking just 15 minutes to open his account for the season.
Match details
Villa host Arsenal tonight (Monday 31 August) with kick-off scheduled for 4:30pm. You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.
