Arsenal defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Jakub Kiwior both missed Arsenal’s final training ahead of the Premier League encounter against Aston Villa on April 14, 2024.
Gabriel, who had been nursing an Achilles, was not seen as the squad took to the Emirates stadium on April 13, 2024, for the final preparation.
Kiwior, who was substituted against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinal for Oleksandr Zinchenko, is also doubt for the game against Aston Villa.
The Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, is likely to pair William Saliba with Takehiro Tomiyasu at the centre back. Zinchenko may replace Kiwior on the left back.
Aston Villa are without their key midfielder, Douglas Luiz due to the fact that he is currently serving a suspension. Luiz has been a long term target for the Arsenal side.
Matt Cash and Clement Lenglet have returned to training and may feature against Arsenal. However, Aston Villa will be without Tyrone Mings, Jacob Ramsey, Boubacar Kamara, and Emi Buendia.
The Mikel Arteta side will welcome the fourth-place Premier League side, Aston Villa, knowing fully well that a win against the Villian will send them to the top of the Premier League table.
Mikel Arteta is expecting a tough test against Unai Emery, who will return to the Emirate stadium for the first time since he got sacked by Arsenal in 2019. This season, Aston Villa defeated Arsenal at Villa Park 1-0 on December 9, 2023.
Unai Emery sees the game against Arsenal as completely different from the previous one, where his team won by a goal to nil.
In the press conference, the manager said, “We played at home here at Villa Park in December compared to the match we are going to play on Sunday.”
“Something similar because there’s a lot of players again playing and fighting in those teams. But different because we’re playing at the Emirates; we’re playing as well in a different context; now they are fighting for the Premier League trophy.”
“We’re fighting behind them, trying to keep the fifth position we have now, and fighting with Tottenham for a Champions League place. It’s different as well because some players, of course, who are injured, are not going to play on Sunday.”
Who is likely to win between Arsenal and Aston Villa?
Arsenal had been in the best form in 2024, with 11 wins in 13 Premier League matches. The Gunners had passed every hurdle placed in their way.
Aston Villa had struggled recently with a win in four Premier League matches. The Arsenal team are expected to return to the top of the Premier League table with a win against Aston Villa.
What do you think about the absence of Gabriel and Kiwior from the Arsenal first team training? Air your views in the comment section.
