Bukayo Saka green-lighted for Aston Villa vs Arsenal as Emile Smith Rowe gets frustrating verdict

Arsenal face Aston Villa this weekend just three days after their clash with Liverpool at the Emirates on Wednesday night. To make matters worse the match is scheduled for the 12:30 early kick-off despite the extra late 20:15 game on Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta has made his thoughts very clear on the matter in his press conferences. When asked about the tight scheduling of fixtures, he was not one to hold back his thoughts on the topic.

“Thank you so much to the Premier League, to do that and they’ve done it again when we have to play Chelsea and Manchester United, so if they want to give them any advantage, I say to them today, thank you so much for doing that,” said Arteta satirically.

Every word Mikel Arteta said on Aaron Ramsdale's mood, Philippe Coutinho interest and Tomiyasu

Arsenal eye future Liverpool targets and Mikel Arteta knows transfers are the key

Looking ahead, Arsenal supporters have debated what changes should be made. The Arsenal Way writers have now tackled this themselves with a variety of different approaches.

Assuming that every player is available, I see no reason not to attack Aston Villa with the same side that has impressed in these past weeks. For all the complaining, and rightly so, regarding the fixture list, Arsenal have demonstrated an ability to keep a line-up for a quick succession of games and win.

In December, Arsenal beat Southampton, West Ham and Leeds United scoring nine goals and conceding just one. In each match, Mikel Arteta chose the same exact team and despite the demands of the midweek fixture against the Hammers, the energy and application the following weekend was top.

Gabriel Martinelli was a star against Liverpool and gave Jurgen Klopp more reason to continue pining over