Arteta Cautious on Squad Selection as Gunners Tackle Emery’s In-Form Hosts.

Mikel Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that key players William Saliba, Leandro Trossard, and Cristhian Mosquera remain doubtful for Saturday’s Premier League Matchday 15 trip to Aston Villa, with final calls hinging on Friday’s training assessments at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.

The early kick-off at Villa Park, a 12:30pm GMT showdown, pits Arteta’s table-toppers against Unai Emery’s resurgent Villans, who sit third and boast the league’s best recent form with five straight wins.

“Let’s see. I think with all the questions I’m going to get, the answer, unfortunately, is going to be the same,” Arteta said, repeating his mantra on squad availability. “We have another training session in the afternoon. Every hour is going to be very important to see the availability of the players. After that, we’ll decide which ones.”

Injury Updates: A Race Against Time

Arteta singled out Mosquera, subbed off at halftime in Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Brentford with a suspected knee or ankle issue, as the biggest concern:

“That’s the one that is more complicated, but again, we have another test today to see where we are with them.”

For Saliba, absent the last two matches due to a bizarre training knock, and Trossard, sidelined by a calf strain from the Bayern Munich Champions League win, the prognosis is brighter:

“It is a matter of days with those two, for sure.”

Declan Rice, who limped off against Brentford with a calf niggle, added to the uncertainty, though the midfielder later assured Sky Sports he’s “fine” and ready. Longer-term absentees include Gabriel Magalhães (weeks out) and Kai Havertz (knee, end of December).

Emery’s Villa: A Formidable Foe

Arteta lavished praise on his former Arsenal assistant, whose Villa have surged into title contention with unbeaten home form and clinical finishing.

“For what they’ve been doing, the way they’ve been playing and winning matches, certainly it’s a team that is in great form and we know that. We know obviously the manager and the incredible job he’s done there as well, so we know the task tomorrow but we always take it as an opportunity.”

On any added spice from Emery’s Gunners past? Arteta brushed it off:

“I don’t know… in my opinion, he never needs anything extra. I think he’s good enough in himself.”

And on Villa as contenders? Unambiguous:

“Well, if they continue where they are already… I think any club, any team in that position has chances for sure.”

Depth and Determination: Arsenal’s Edge

With squad rotation key amid a grueling schedule, Arteta hailed his bench’s evolution:

“Great… when you look at the bench and you can say, now we can change the game. Or last year when we were in February to May, look there, and we had two players really, so that’s a huge difference.”

The mantra for Matchday 15? Crystal clear:

“We have to focus on performing, preparing really well for tomorrow… and be ready for it to fulfil our potential.”

Arsenal, five points clear at the summit after Brentford, can’t afford slip-ups. With Rice potentially anchoring midfield and Saliba bolstering the backline, Arteta’s adaptations could prove decisive. Villa Park awaits, what a test of nerve.