Following the drama of the Champions League, Arsenal return to Premier League action this weekend as they host Aston Villa looking for revenge. Unai Emery was only the second manager to beat the Gunners in the league this season after a narrow 1-0 win at Villa Park.

Arsenal have made a habit of making up for defeats, beating Newcastle United, Liverpool, West Ham, RC Lens and FC Porto after being on the wrong end of losses. Mikel Arteta will be looking to make Aston Villa the next side in this sequence, but selecting the right side is a real challenge, this week in particular.

As soon as the first leg of the quarter-final against Bayern is done the second leg is already here and Arteta needs to manage his side, play the best team to do the job whilst also knowing they fly to Germany in just a couple of days. Both Manchester City and Liverpool play before Arsenal and therefore will be aiming to pile on the pressure.

David Raya continues in goal despite again coming in for some scrutiny following some questionable decision-making earlier in the week. However, the likelihood of a switch in the position is incredibly small and so it should be as the Spaniard has had a strong 2024 overall.

In the back line having the presence of Takehiro Tomiyasu to get some valuable minutes is needed, especially as he may be called upon to play against Bayern in midweek. Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes all start despite the latter having some rumours circulating about a fitness concern.

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With Tomiyasu at left-back instead of Oleksandr Zinchenko, both Declan Rice and Thomas Partey play in a more traditional-looking midfield for the Gunners and a combination plenty of Arsenal fans were hoping to see dominate throughout the season. The Ghanaian’s injury issues put paid to that, but he has returned with enough time remaining to make a difference.

A rest for Martin Odegaard seems unlikely before the end of the campaign as the Norwegian continues to be the leader in this side. One game, two games, perhaps even three games a week doesn’t appear to phase the energy the skipper delivers to his side.

Into the forward line and Leandro Trossard continues to impress after scoring another massive goal for his club. In a title race, players who turn up in big games are gold dust and the Belgian’s form should be rewarded with a start here.

Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka complete the front three. The temptation to field Gabriel Jesus is there, but managing his minutes ahead of a potential start in Germany is important.

Dream Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Rice, Partey, Odegaard, Saka, Havertz, Trossard.

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