Arsenal latest: Mikel Arteta receives major early team news boost ahead of Premier League game against Aston Villa

Arsenal will not face Aston Villa midfielder Joao Gomes on August 31 due to the red card he received on Sunday against Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Gunners enjoyed a perfect opening gameweek at the Emirates on Friday, coasting to a 3-0 victory against newly-promoted Coventry City.

Mikel Arteta will be pleased by how his side have started the season, though it would be understandable if he was anticipating a tougher test in matchweek 2.

The Londoners are set to face former boss Unai Emery at Villa Park on August 31, though Arsenal will be relieved to know that their hosts will not be able to field their strongest XI.

Midfield Gomes was sent off for Villa against Brighton on Sunday, with the Brazilian receiving a straight red card for kicking out against Georginio Rutter.

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Aston Villa vs. Arsenal: A comfortable Premier League win for Mikel Arteta?

A bigger concern for Emery than the dismissal of Gomes will be the nature of his side's 4-0 defeat against Brighton, who scored four times before the interval.

The Lions' squad has been severely weakened, with Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa all having left, while Ollie Watkins is reportedly closing in on a transfer to Al-Hilal.

Midfielder Amadou Onana is also set for a considerable period on the treatment table due to a serious knee injury, though Leon Goretzka could arrive before their next game.

Villa still have quality in their squad, but there is no doubt that Arsenal should be clear favourites for three points when they meet at the end of August.

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Will Arsenal win the Premier League title with ease?

Many of Arsenal's potential rivals have looked below their best so far, with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Villa all losing in an embarrassing manner this weekend.

Manchester City needed two late goals to avoid defeat to Bournemouth, and there are serious question marks about the strength of both Liverpool and Chelsea.

Arsenal may lack some firepower in their attacking ranks, but they are by far the most stable of the teams with title ambitions, and they should be confident about their chances of retaining their crown.