Team news: Martinelli starts against Villa | Keep news | News

Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino are both back in the starting line-up to face Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Raheem Sterling and William Saliba are the two making way from the team that started the win in the north London derby on Wednesday night. Sterling is among the substitutes, while Saliba misses out entirely – he had played every minute of our last seven games since December 21.

This means a defensive reshuffle, with Thomas Partey likely to start at right back and Jurrien Timber partnering Gabriel in the middle. Myles Lewis-Skelly continues at left-back after his storming display in midweek.

Merino joins Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in midfield, with Martinelli joining Wednesday’s match-winner Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz up front.

The visitors have made one change from the side that beat Everton 1-0 in midweek, with Ian Maatsen replacing Lucas Digne at left-back. Donyell Malen – their new signing from Borussia Dortmund, who was previously part of our youth team – is among their subs.

Lineups

Arsenal: Raya, Partey, Timber, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Merino, Rice, Odegaard, Trossard, Martinelli, Havertz.
Subs: Neto, Tierney, Zinchenko, Kiwior, Kacurri, Jorginho, Butler-Oyedeji, Kabia, Sterling.

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Mings, Konsa, Maatsen, Onana, Ramsey, Tielemans, Kamara, Rogers, Watkins.
Subs: Gauci, Olsen, Digne, Nedeljkovic, Bogarde, Buendia, Malen, Bailey, Duran.