How Arsenal could line up against Aston Villa

Arsenal are sweating over the fitness of Bukayo Saka ahead of Friday's Premier League encounter with Aston Villa.

The 20-year-old took a nasty kick to the leg from James McArthur in Monday's draw with Crystal Palace and has emerged as a doubt after being forced off at half time in that encounter.

Mikel Arteta has admitted that the starlet was "very sore" after being seen with ice around his calf, while Granit Xhaka remains out with a serious knee problem.

Despite conceding twice to Patrick Vieira's Eagles, the backline of Aaron Ramsdale, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Gabriel and Kieran Tierney is set to remain untouched.

Thomas Partey did not enjoy the most fruitful of encounters against Palace but is unlikely to be dropped here, while Albert Sambi Lokonga also made an error leading to a goal on Monday and should find himself on the bench again.

Should Saka be ruled out and Arsenal retain their 4-3-3 system from Monday, Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard are expected to hold their places in midfield, while Nicolas Pepe ought to retain his place in the side if that is the case.

Alexandre Lacazette has surely done enough to earn a start after his last-minute heroics against Palace, which could see Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shifted out to the left-hand side.

Arsenal possible starting lineup: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Odegaard, Partey, Smith Rowe; Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang