Saliba Out Of Villa Game?

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A roundup of this week's top stories

• Saliba likely to miss Villa clash
• Gabriel Jesus ruled out with ACL injury
• Arsenal actively seeking forward reinforcements in January window
• Martin Zubimendi deal progressing
• Brian Mbeumo emerges as serious transfer target
• Benjamin Sesko links cool as RB Leipzig stand firm
• Kieran Tierney's Celtic return edges closer
• Zinchenko linked with Borussia Dortmund move
• Arsenal searching for new Sporting Director
• Thomas Partey and Jorginho likely to leave in summer

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Latest News

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Saliba Picked Up Injury

Triple M @Tripple____M Don't tell me William Saliba picked an injury after this 7:20 PM • Jan 17, 2025 56 Retweets 1151 Likes Read 21 replies

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Le African Gooner @leafricangooner 🚨 BREAKING from @Arsenal23Wenger: Unfortunately William Saliba is out for tomorrow's match against Aston Villa 🇫🇷 😢 8:49 PM • Jan 17, 2025 96 Retweets 1454 Likes Read 92 replies

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Injuries Plague Us

Sky Sports Premier League @SkySportsPL Arsenal have been unbeaten this season in the Premier League when Saka and Odegaard have started together 🔍 2:20 PM • Jan 16, 2025 660 Retweets 8626 Likes Read 66 replies

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Sesko Unlikely To Join Arsenal

Eduardo Hagn @EduardoHagn 🚨 JUST IN from @David_Ornstein: Benjamin Sesko is not expected to move this window and RB Leipzig have no intention to sell. 🇸🇮 4:28 PM • Jan 16, 2025 259 Retweets 4010 Likes Read 208 replies

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Arsenal Working On Striker Position

Le African Gooner @leafricangooner 🚨 TRANSFER UPDATE from @FabrizioRomano ‣ For the January window Arsenal are working on the striker position ‣ Many calls made in the last 24-48hrs to ask about situations of important players in Europe ‣ Next summer working progress for Zubimendi + confident & optimistic. 4:45 AM • Jan 16, 2025 215 Retweets 2289 Likes Read 8 replies

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Tierney Closing On Celtic

afcstuff @afcstuff 🚨 Kieran Tierney is ‘close to joining’ Celtic. [@FabrizioRomano] 8:25 PM • Jan 16, 2025 199 Retweets 4965 Likes Read 43 replies

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Skelly Is One Of Our Own

Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano 🔴⚪️ Lewis-Skelly: “This game means more. I can’t stop smiling”. “I prepare the same, but it’s the feeling going into the game with the fans. You’ve got to give it everything and more. I’m happy I helped the team”. 11:12 PM • Jan 15, 2025 2326 Retweets 41365 Likes Read 307 replies

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On Toast (Click To Watch)

P @perwilo https://twitter.com/kenjsaliba/status/1879818007410790480 kenj calafiori saliba 🍉 @kenjsaliba What Trossard did to Porro yesterday was insane 9:24 AM • Jan 16, 2025 750 Retweets 3877 Likes Read 6 replies

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Arsenal Vs Aston Villa

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Where to watch & time

Date:

18th January 2025

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UK

17:30 ​

Sky Sports

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US

12:30 PM ET

NBC, Universo, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue & Peacock Premium

Scout Report

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Team Form and Key Themes

Arsenal

• Currently on a strong home run, unbeaten in 13 league matches at the Emirates.
• Villa were the last team to win in N5, making this a key fixture for revenge.
• Facing squad depletion with injuries to key players like Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and others, testing their depth and adaptability.

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Aston Villa

• Improving after a rocky period balancing European and domestic campaigns.
• Managed a critical away win at Everton, breaking a poor run on the road.
• Strengths lie in their offensive transitions, particularly with runners like Ollie Watkins and Duran exploiting through balls and crosses.

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Key Strengths and Weaknesses

Arsenal Strengths

• Strong home form and tactical flexibility.
• Dominance in possession, enabling control of tempo.

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Arsenal Weaknesses:

• Injuries to key attackers limiting creativity and finishing.
• Vulnerability to high pressing teams due to occasional defensive lapses.

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Villa Strengths:

• Proficiency in counter-attacks and through balls.
• Aerial threat from crosses, especially through Watkins and Duran.

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Villa Weaknesses:

• Struggles on the road, conceding goals from counters and errors under pressure.
• Defensive lapses late in games, with 11 goals conceded after the 76th minute.

My View

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“ I think we’ll end up with a 2-2 draw. The reality is, we need to bring in a prolific forward this month—waiting for the "ideal" signing isn’t an option anymore. We’re struggling for goals, and if we’re serious about challenging for the title, we can’t afford to rely on streaky form up front. ​ Saliba’s injury is another blow that sums up Arsenal’s luck this season. It’s frustrating, but champions don’t let bad fortune define them. If we want to lift the trophy, we’ve got to adapt, dig deep, and find a way to get results despite these setbacks. January is crucial; the right move now could make all the difference. — Cordell Hayes

Arsenal Vs Tottenham

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3 Things We Learned From The Game

1. Lewis-Skelly's versatility adds new dimension to Arsenal's left side
2. Rice-Ødegaard partnership finding perfect balance
3. Saliba's composure in build-up play proving crucial for controlling games

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Cordell Hayes Editor/Owner