Gabriel and Timber Return for Crucial Villa Match
Mikel Arteta has made notable changes to his lineup for the critical match against Aston Villa. Gabriel and Jurrien Timber are returning to the defense, signaling a boost for the squad. Both players had previously missed outings due to injuries but are back just in time for this top-of-the-table clash.
Returning Players and Lineup Changes
Gabriel is back in the heart of defense alongside William Saliba after recovering from a thigh injury. He made a brief appearance in the team’s recent 2-1 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion, marking his return. Piero Hincapie shifts to left-back to accommodate Timber, who returns after a knock.
Key Substitutions and Fitness Boosts
Declan Rice, who played right-back in the last match, will not be in the squad. However, there are positive updates regarding injuries. Kai Havertz is back after a knee issue sustained on the opening day of the season against Manchester United. Ben White has also recovered from a hamstring problem.
Aston Villa Team Adjustments
On the other side, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery has made five changes to his squad, following their 2-1 comeback win against Chelsea. Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara are serving suspensions, leading to Lamare Bogarde and Jaydon Sancho stepping in.
- Ollie Watkins replaces Donyell Malen, following an impressive performance against Chelsea.
- Emi Buendia, the matchwinner from the last encounter, comes in for John McGinn.
- Lucas Digne takes the left-back position over Ian Maatsen.
Lineups for the Clash
| Arsenal | Aston Villa |
|---|---|
| Raya | Martinez |
| Timber | Bogarde |
| Saliba | Konsa |
| Gabriel | Lindelof |
| Hincapie | Digne |
| Zubimendi | Onana |
| Merino | Tielemans |
| Odegaard | Sancho |
| Saka | Rogers |
| Trossard | Buendia |
| Gyokeres | Watkins |
As the kickoff approaches, fans can look forward to an exciting matchup filled with tactical intrigue. Stay tuned for stats, analyses, and more on El-Balad.
