As Arsenal prepares to face Aston Villa in an upcoming Premier League match, the team is cautiously optimistic about the potential return of Riccardo Calafiori. Manager Mikel Arteta remains hopeful but cautious regarding player availability. However, several key players, including Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Bukayo Saka, will continue to miss the game due to ongoing injuries. Gabriel Jesus’s ACL injury and Saka’s hamstring recovery further strain the squad. Despite these challenges, Arsenal aims to maintain its title contention with a strong defensive lineup and collective effort. Meanwhile, Aston Villa welcomes new signing Donyell Malen but faces its own set of absences.

Player Availability and Injury Status

The Arsenal camp is assessing the fitness of Riccardo Calafiori, who may rejoin the squad for the upcoming fixture. The manager is consulting with medical staff to ensure players are in optimal condition. Unfortunately, long-term absentees like Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Bukayo Saka remain sidelined. Gabriel Jesus, recovering from ACL surgery, will not feature this season, while Saka’s return is expected around March. Ben White, after a minor knee procedure, is making steady progress but has yet to train with the team.

Further complicating matters, Takehiro Tomiyasu, who had been back in training following a knee injury sustained during the international break, has not seen action since. Midfielder Ethan Nwaneri is out with a muscle injury, and youth prospect Josh Nichols is also unavailable due to an unspecified injury sustained in a recent under-21s match. These absences highlight the depth challenges Arsenal faces as they prepare for the crucial clash against Aston Villa.

Tactical Adjustments and Match Outlook

Calafiori’s possible return offers tactical flexibility, providing much-needed support to the defense. With key attacking players missing, the responsibility falls on Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Martin Ødegaard to step up. Arsenal must rely on their defensive resilience and team spirit to secure a win. Last season’s 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa serves as a reminder of the challenges ahead. The team aims to avoid a repeat and keep pace in the title race.

Aston Villa, too, has its share of squad issues, with Diego Carlos unavailable due to transfer speculation, and John McGinn, Ross Barkley, and Pau Torres also out. However, the addition of former Arsenal youth product Donyell Malen could provide a boost. Historically, none of the last 18 games between the two teams have ended in a draw, underscoring the competitive nature of their encounters. Arsenal, unbeaten at home since last season’s loss to Villa, seeks to capitalize on this trend. A victory would be significant for both teams, with Villa aiming for its first successive away league wins against Arsenal since 1993.