Arsenal are set to face off with Aston Villa in Saturday’s only Premier League kick-off.
Ahead of the game, the Gunners released their starting line-up an hour before and there were some noticeable absentees.
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Aaron Ramsdale, who has been the Gunners’ no.1 for much of 2021/22, was not in the squad. Neither was Gabriel Martinelli, who has made the left-wing spot his own since the departure/dropping of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Arsenal have since explained the pair’s absence, though, confirming Ramsdale has a hip issue and Martinelli is ill:
? Aaron Ramsdale (hip) and Gabriel Martinelli (illness) miss out on today’s matchday squad.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 19, 2022
Ramsdale is now also a doubt for England’s upcoming games:
? Aaron Ramsdale will miss Arsenal’s match against Villa today, after sustaining a hip injury during the 1st half vs Liverpool.
Player hoped to play but medical advice prohibited. Likely to miss #ENG camp to recover. Leno comes in. #AFC@TheAthleticUKhttps://t.co/aLIP9wkKcN
— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) March 19, 2022
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
Arsenal head into the game after a rare loss. The north Londoners had been unbeaten in the Premier League since January 1st, climbing up the table into 4th place.
However, Arteta’s side have been woeful against the top teams this campaign. So, it was not surprising to see them lose 2-0 vs Liverpool on Thursday. Granted, it was not a terrible display from Arsenal, but Liverpool’s quality would shine through.
Said loss means that Arsenal now only have two games in hand on 5th-place Manchester United, one of which is the Villa tie.
So, it is imperative that Arsenal pick up three points this weekend whilst United are not in action to put some distance between themselves and the top-four chasing sides.
