Mikel Arteta has made it clear that Arsenal’s visit to Aston Villa on Monday is not a moment for sweeping judgments, even if it arrives at a useful stage of the season for both clubs. Arsenal go to Villa Park with a 100% start to the campaign, while Villa are trying to steady themselves after a difficult opening day and a summer of major change.
It is Arsenal’s first Premier League away match of the season, kicking off at 8pm, and it comes with the transfer window due to close just 24 hours after the final whistle. That timing adds an extra layer to the occasion, but Arteta’s message was more grounded: this is a competitive test, not a verdict on the entire campaign.
Arteta said Arsenal have “the best squad that we have, or we believe that we could have right now”, before adding that it is still not the best version of the team they will have in a month’s time. In other words, he is backing the group he has, while also stressing that improvement is still expected.
Arteta’s view of Arsenal’s squad
That assessment fits the tone of a manager who knows early-season form can be misleading. Arsenal have won their opening games, but they are still only at the start of the process. Arteta was keen to stress that the team will get better as players improve and the group settles further.
The key point is balance. Arsenal have travelled to Villa Park without having played a league away game yet, so this is a different kind of challenge from the home fixtures that have helped shape the start of their season. A good away performance here would say more about their level than a narrow result at home.
Arteta also paid tribute to Unai Emery, calling him “one of the most experienced managers in the league” and “one of the most successful without a shadow of a doubt”. He added that what Villa did last year was “an incredible season”, which underlines the respect Arsenal have for the opposition despite the changes Villa have made.
Villa’s overhaul and the challenge ahead
That respect matters because Aston Villa are not the same side that finished fourth last season and qualified for the Champions League for the second time in three years. Their squad has been altered significantly, with Morgan Rogers moving to Chelsea for £117 million, while Youri Tielemans went to Manchester United, Lucas Digne to Paris Saint-Germain, Ezri Konsa to Arsenal, and Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez also opting for moves elsewhere.
At the same time, Villa have recruited heavily. Joao Gomes, Johann Manzambi, Zion Suzuki, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Matteo Ruggeri, Leon Goretzka, Alejandro Garnacho and Nicolas Jackson all arrived this summer, and that means the structure of the team is still taking shape.
The signs so far have been mixed. Villa lost the UEFA Super Cup to PSG, and then began the league season with a 4-0 defeat at Brighton, conceding all four goals before half-time. That is a sharp reminder that a new-look squad does not instantly become a settled one.
Who is available for Monday?
There is also an issue around Bruno Guimaraes. He sustained a groin issue in the Community Shield and sat out the win against Coventry, so his availability remains a talking point ahead of Monday. Arsenal will be watching that situation closely, because Villa’s strength in the middle of the pitch could be central to how the game unfolds.
Arteta’s final point was a simple one: “Monday is the next challenge and the Premier League is not waiting.” He also reminded everyone that there are 38 matches to play and points still to fight for. That is the right frame for this match. Arsenal may be ahead in the early running, but Villa Park should tell a better story about where both sides really stand.
And if Arteta is right, there is even more to come from Arsenal before this month is out. For now, though, Monday night is the next real test.
