Mikel Arteta has refused to be drawn on any specifics regarding his team. The Spaniard has many players still out of the side going into the challenging test.

Arteta faced the media in the build-up to a pivotal Premier League clash with Aston Villa with the chance to make a significant statement and avenge their title blow from the previous campaign. After winning the North London Derby, the Gunners have rediscovered their form.

However, the visit of Villa brings a much tougher challenge even though Arsenal managed an impressive victory on the road to Villa Park earlier in the season. Now, though, the hope is that a run similar to the second half of the previous campaign can be achieved to help chase down Liverpool.

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Arteta will need as many players as possible available to him and has been missing some key players including Bukayo Saka, Ben White and Ethan Nwaneri. The latter two had seen some rumours circulate that they might be doing work on the pitch along with Riccardo Calafiori, who has also been missing.

When asked for an update on the latest team news he said: "Training session this afternoon, we have a few decisions to make this afternoon with the medical staff."

Arsenal take on Aston Villa at 17:30 GMT at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. football.london will have build-up and match coverage from four hours before kick-off.