White out, Partey and Smith Rowe return, Jesus decision made - Arsenal line ups vs Aston Villa

football.london's Gunners writers decide how they think Mikel Arteta should line his side up for their Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Sunday

In the midst of a Bayern Munich sandwich, Mikel Arteta has a tricky balancing act this weekend. The Spaniard will know that anything could happen in next week's second leg in Munich with the tie finely poised at 2-2.

With this in mind you might think Arteta would be inclined to ring the changes to ensure a fully fit squad on Wednesday. But with Manchester City and Liverpool hot on their tails, Arsenal know they can't afford to cede any ground in the title race.

Villa themselves are a good team, and are one of just four to beat the Gunners in the Premier League this season. It's a tough equilibrium for Arteta to find. Thankfully, football.london's Arsenal writers are on hand to decide who they think he should pick.

Tom Canton - Football writer

A tricky game to choose and I do not envy the job of Mikel Arteta one bit when it comes to a selection. Rotation, rest, practice and competitiveness all come into this selection for a tricky test against Aston Villa whilst also knowing a trip to Munich is only days away.

The midfield is slightly tweaked and with Villa having their struggles with injury and suspension, there is perhaps some scope to go more offensive. Therefore, in front of Declan Rice, I’d opt for Emile Smith Rowe – who had a man-of-the-match display against Luton Town – and Martin Odegaard.

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This means bringing Oleksandr Zinchenko into the left-back position to give Rice the midfield support when in possession too. Gabriel Magalhaes will hopefully be okay to continue with William Saliba and Ben White.

Up top is the same front three from midweek with my thoughts to make a couple of changes for the trip to Bayern. I’d bring on Jesus and Trossard again with Saka, who starts, if the game allows as this would be the trio I’d start in Germany but both Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz can get the job done with their England international starlet alongside them against Villa.

Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Smith Rowe, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli

Kaya Kaynak - Chief Arsenal correspondent

Given David Raya's shaky display on Tuesday, there is an argument for goalkeeper rotation. In reality though that might do more harm than good.

One player I would rotate almost in spite of their performance against Bayern is Ben White. The 26-year-old will be needed in Munich so I'm bringing Takehiro Tomiyasu back into the fold. Meanwhile on the left side of defence I'm keeping Jakub Kiwior there. After his second half display on Tuesday, Oleksandr Zinchenko simply has to start at Bayern.

In midfield meanwhile I think Jorginho will need a rest. He wasn't at his best in the first leg so I'm throwing in Thomas Partey who is no bad replacement. In front of them the ever-present Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice keep their places.

I think Leandro Trossard deserves a start after his heroics against Bayern too. I'm putting him in the team with Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, because you simply have to have Gabriel Jesus fit to start in Munich.

Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa - Raya; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Partey, Odegaard, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard.

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