Arsenal could keep Merino up front
The midfielder has excelled up top
Arsenal could keep faith with midfielder Mikel Merino as a central striker even asas Viktor Gyokeres and Gabirel Jesus return from injury.
No Arsenal player has scored more goals than Merino in 2025, with the Spain international on target against Brentford on Wednesday.
And boss Mikel Arteta admits Merino’s performances up top mean he remains an option even though Gyokeres and Jesus are edging back to fitness.
“I think he has earned at least to be in the thinking behind it for the way he’s performing and the impact that he’s bringing to the team, so that’s a yes,” said Arteta.
“And playing together, those are the things that we have prepared during the summer because of the squad that we have, and so far we haven’t been able to.”
Arsenal are hopeful Declan Rice will shake off the calf knock he picked up against Brentford in time to face Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime.
Cristhian Mosquera is a doubt due to an ankle problem while fellow defender Gabriel is still out with a thigh injury.
Villa have climbed to third in the table on the back of four straight wins under former Gunners boss Unai Emery.
“Well, for what they’ve been doing, the way they’ve been playing and winning matches, certainly it’s a team that is in great form and we know that,” added Arteta.
“We know obviously the manager and the incredible job that he’s done there as well. So we know the test tomorrow – but we always think it’s an opportunity.”
A victory in the early kick-off would send a message to the chasing pack, with second-placed Manchester City taking on surprise package Sunderland and Chelsea, in fourth, travelling to Bournemouth.
“Every time you win a game obviously you are a little bit closer to your objective and it’s the only thing that we can do,” said the Spaniard.
“We have to focus on performing, preparing really well for tomorrow. We know the kind of game that we’re going to play and get ready for it to fulfil our potential.”