Arsenal will likely be without Takehiro Tomiyasu for Saturday’s Premier League encounter against Aston Villa.

The Japan international has been suffering from a thigh issue and has not played a minute of Premier League football since the New Year’s Day defeat against Manchester City.

FOOTBALLTRANSFERS’ MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS IN THE WORLD

He did play in the League Cup against Liverpool and was in the squad to face Brentford in the league, but a muscle issue has kept him out of action consistently since the turn of the year.

He was recently left out of the Japan squad for upcoming international games.

Apart from Tomiyasu, Mikel Arteta has a fully fit squad to choose from and so might actually opt for the same starting XI that was unlucky in defeat against Liverpool.

Arteta has complained about the quick turnaround in games, playing late on Wednesday and early on Saturday, but with the international break upcoming, he may halt the need for rotation.

Aaron Ramsale will start in goal behind a back four of Cedric, Ben White, Gabriel and Kieran Tierney.

Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey will continue in midfield.

The likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Nicolas Pepe will be desperate for some game time, but the attacking midfield three of Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and the impressive Gabriel Martinell will likely continue.

Alexandre Lacazette will lead the line.

Predicted Arsenal XI v Aston Villa