Sambi Lokonga has been handed his first start of the season in tonight’s clash against Aston Villa, as the one change to Mikel Arteta’s line-up.
The Belgian comes in for Mohamed Elneny in the heart of midfield who has injured a hamstring, with Sambi’s spot on the bench taken by under-21s captain Matt Smith, who along with Fabio Vieira and Marquinhos is awaiting a first outing in our colours - find out more about Smith.
Steven Gerrard meanwhile has made four changes to his team that lost 1-0 to West Ham United on the weekend, with Philippe Coutinho only fit enough for the bench after limping off in that game.
His spot is taken by Emiliano Buendia, but Tyrone Mings is available again though after shrugging off an illness with former Gunner Calum Chambers now a sub, alongside Danny Ings who is replaced by Leon Bailey.
Meanwhile, Jacob Ramsey is preferred to Douglas Luiz in midfield.
Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney, Lokonga, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Jesus. Subs: Turner, Cedric, Tomiyasu, Holding, Smith, Vieira, Marquinhos, Smith Rowe, Nketiah.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Ramsey, Kamara, McGinn, Bailey, Buendia, Watkins. Subs: Olsen, Augustinsson, Chambers, Young, Luiz, Iroegbunam, Coutinho, Archer, Ings.
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