Arsenal chase perfect EPL start, face new-look Villa

Morgan Rogers moved to Chelsea for £117m, Youri Tielemans joined Manchester United, Lucas Digne moved to Paris Saint-Germain, while Ezri Konsa is now an Arsenal player. Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez have also departed.

Only five starters from Villa’s Europa League final victory over Freiburg remain at the club.

Villa have also started the new campaign poorly, losing 4-0 away to Brighton after conceding all four goals before half-time.

Konsa could make his Arsenal debut against his former club after his move, while Bruno Guimaraes could also make his Premier League debut for Arsenal after returning to training following a groin issue sustained in the Community Shield.

Jurrien Timber is nearing a return from a groin injury, although Monday’s game could come too early, while William Saliba remains out with a long-term back issue.

Villa will be without Joao Gomes after the midfielder was sent off against Brighton, while Amadou Onana is expected to miss the season with an ACL injury.

Johann Manzambi is also unavailable, while Tammy Abraham is struggling with a groin problem and Brian Madjo missed the opening league fixture with a knock.

New signings Nicolas Jackson, Zion Suzuki, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Leon Goretzka could make their Villa debuts.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described Emery as one of the Premier League’s most experienced and successful managers, saying Villa’s performance last season was “an incredible season.”

“This is the best squad that we have, or we believe that we could have right now, and that’s it. That’s not the best squad that we’re going to have in a month’s time because hopefully the players will improve, the team will improve and we’ll be better.