Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori is a doubt for their clash with Aston Villa on Saturday.

Calafiori has missed Arsenal’s last three games due to injury and Arteta confirmed on Friday the club were checking on a few players.

“We have a few decisions to make this afternoon with the medical staff, to understand whether they are in the best condition to [play] this game or the next one,” said Arteta. “We will decide that.”

If Calafiori is out, it may mean that Myles Lewis-Skelly keeps his place in the team and gets another start at left-back.

The 18-year-old has excelled recently and was one of Arsenal’s star performers on Wednesday night when they beat Tottenham.

Arsenal face a packed January schedule and so there could be changes to the team for this visit of Villa.

Raheem Sterling started against Spurs, but he may make way for Gabriel Martinelli on the right wing.

The Gunners remain light on attacking options and currently have just four fit forwards to choose from.

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard

Doubts: Calafiori

Injured: Jesus (knee), Nwaneri (groin) Saka (hamstring), Tomiyasu (knee), White (knee)

Time and date: 5.30pm GMT on Saturday January 18, 2025

TV channel: Sky Sports

Venue: Emirates Stadium

Referee: Chris Kavanagh

Arsenal squad from: Neto, Raya, Setford; Calafiori, Gabriel, Heaven, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Saliba, Tierney, Timber, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Merino, Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Havertz, Martinelli, Sterling and Trossard.