Previously
By Tony Attwood
There is talk in the Standard that Gabriel is ready to start in this match and that Jurrien Timber will be back after he missed the Brighton game, having got an injury in the League Cup match. Calafiori was withdrawn from the squad for the Brighton game at the last minute, but if he is still missing then again Myles Lewis-Skelly should play. If Timber plays he will take over Declan Rice’s position, and Rice will simply move across the midfield line.
It is generally thought that Havertz will be in the squad and could come on as a sub.
The Standard give us a line up of
Raya;
Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly;
Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard;
Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Although much of the media is writing up the situation at Arsenal as one of uncertainty and thus something to Arsenal’s detriment, the fact is that it also means that until one hour before kick off the opposition don’t really know who they are facing, and they have to hand their team sheet in just as Arsenal do. So that uncertainty could work to Arsenal’s benefit.
The Metro gives us a line up of
Raya;
Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincappie
Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice,
Saka, Gyokeress, Trossard
Mind you that is the Metro, and even now after all this years, on their football page next to the line up they have a link to Arsene Wenger blocked my dream move to Arsenal – so I joined Man City They never ever let go.
The New York Times says that Kai Havertz was “spotted with the squad on their pre-match walk on Tuesday morning,” which really takes us back a bit to the days when no column was complete without someone being spotted somewhere and this being taken as “a sign”.
But perhaps a little more informatively they do tell us that, “Villa, meanwhile, will be without right-back Matty Cash and midfielder Boubacar Kamara, both of whom picked up their fifth bookings of the season against Chelsea on Saturday and are suspended.”
There is, meanwhile a very curious piece on the BBC site which has an interview with the Villa manager who is sort of suggesting that some clubs are getting an advantage out of the way the fixtures are being arranged. Actually I think this is a bit of a bluff, for it would appear from the outside that everything that can be fixed is being fixed and probably has been for many seasons.
Meanwhile back somewhere closer to planet reality Football London offer us the team of
Raya;
Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly;
Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard;
Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres.
The Express tell us that Arteta hasn’t held a pre-match press conference as he previewed the Villa game immediately after defeating Brighton, so “we’re somewhat in the dark regarding whether either will feature.”
And that is interesting since the lack of press conference means that the journalists have to do some work – or at least make something up for themselves.
In the end they come up with a team of
Raya;
Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie;
Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard;
Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres.
which we might say seems somewhat familiar. We shall find out soon.
Meanwhile on the Arsenal History Society site we are continuing to review Arsenal’s 100 years in the top division. The latest articles are
- 1953/4: the Arsenal collapse begins
- Arsenal 1952/53. Whittaker fulfills his destiny but then Arsenal collapse
You’ll also find links to all the previous articles in the series, on the site.
Actual team
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Merino, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres.
Subs: Arrizabalaga, White, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Eze, Martinelli, Madueke, Havertz, Jesus.
Rice is not on the team sheet at all. Is he injured?
England is terrible. Every call went Villa’s way in the 1st half. Not remotely fair display.
What a fabulous second half performance.. just about a perfect way to end the year. COYG.
When I heard the news of Rice not being fit I feared a bit to be honest. In the first half his absence was clearly visible…. but then in the second half we didn’t miss him for a second. Good that Gabriel is back, Jesus is back after Christmass…. and Leo…. well very very proud of my compatriot who is really making himself very important once again with a wonderful taken goal and an assist… great way to finish the year! So all my best wishes for 2026!
I thought that we got our tactics right in the second half and deserved it all . A clean sheet would have been just rewards for Raya , but it was not to be.
WOO HOO , HOO !
Up the Gunners !
Yes he isinjured – but not badly, only missing one or two games
I am amazed how our Gunners find the ressources, the will, the stamina, the talent to get through these difficult patches.
That belief in themselves is just so stunning. And something that is not always talked about.
A big credit to Arteta and his staff.
And Odegaard, his pass… sublime. He is getting back to he best level.
So in the end Arsenal managed a rough patch, through novembeer/december and did not fall.
Let’s all wish Xhaka and his team the best for their game.
And by the way, let’s not forget the good news : Villa are out of our way…but others will lose points.