Arsenal will look to build on their north London derby win when Unai Emery's Aston Villa visit the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal continues its pursuit of the English Premier League leader, after reducing the gap with the Reds to four points with a 2-1 victory over rival Tottenham on Wednesday.
Villa have started 2025 impressively with three successive wins in all competitions, most recently a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Everton, and remain in the race for European qualification this season.
Their last visit to Arsenal saw the Arsenal's title hopes end last season with a memorable 2-0 win in north London in April, with Emery winning two of his last three matches against his former club.
Check out the team news for Saturday's late game below.
Arsenal team news
🔴 Team news ⚪️
🤝 Lewis Skelly continues at left-back
🔙 Martinelli returns to the barn
💪 Havertz leads the lineLet's do this, Juners 👊
– Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 18, 2025
William Saliba is one of the main absentees for Arsenal due to a “minor issue” with Thomas Partey in the back four alongside Jorren Temper, Gabriel and Miles Lewis Skelly.
Gabriel Martinelli returns to the starting lineup in place of Raheem Sterling, while Mikel Merino comes into midfield.
Arsenal starting lineup: Raya; Partey, Timber, Gabriel, Lewis Skelly; Merino, Rice; Odegaard, Trossard, Martinelli; Havertz
Submarines: Neto, Tierney, Zinchenko, Kuyor, Kakori, Jorginho, Butler, Oyedeji, Kaby, Sterling.
Aston Villa team news
This evening the team will face Arsenal 👊#ARSAVL pic.twitter.com/xTzduD2fTD
– Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 18, 2025
Villa made one change to the lineup that beat Everton, with Ian Maatsen replacing Lucas Digne at left-back.
Aston Villa starting lineup: Martinez. Cash, Konsa, Mings, Matsen; Onana, Kamara; Tielemans, Ramsay, Rogers; Watkins
Submarines: Olsen, Gauci, Boogaard, Nedeljkovic, Deeney, Buendia, Bailly, Malen, Duran.
