Arsenal are travelling to Villa Park this Saturday with only one thing on their mind, revenge. The Gunners were beaten twice by Aston Villa last season and the two defeats proved decisive in their hunt to end a Premier League title drought of 20 painful years.

Mikel Arteta knows that to change that record then winning at places such as this will be defining in this new season. This fixture certainly comes at a very different stage to last time however and there are differences in the two teams.

Unai Emery has added Amadou Onana, Ian Maatsen and Jaden Philogene to his side while also losing Douglas Luiz, Moussa Diaby, Cameron Archer and Tim Iroegbunam. With Champions League football back at Villa, there is an excitement to play the first game in their home ground and the Gunners will be looking to spoil the party.

Mikel Arteta will be on the touchline this time having previously been suspended in the meeting between the two on this patch last time. His team selection will be key and football.london takes a look at what a dream XI might look like.

David Raya fresh off being included in the PFA team of the year with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes will all of course start, alongside the controversially excluded Ben White – beaten to the right-back position by Kyle Walker. At left-back though, Oleksandr Zinchenko’s defensive drawbacks see him miss out.

In his place comes the man who replaced him from the bench against Wolves, Jurrien Timber. The Dutchman has the balance of attacking threat and defensive nous to cope with Leon Bailey far better than the Ukrainian.

Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard are the obvious choices – both were also included in the PFA team of the year. However, the third slot is a toss-up between Jorginho and Thomas Partey, the latter of whom was shaky at times against Wolves; therefore the Italian’s calming presence might instead be preferred.

Up top Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka will carry on after their goals and assists on the previous weekend. At left wing, many including myself might have leaned toward Leandro Trossard. But despite question marks over Gabriel Martinelli, his pace in behind against Matty Cash or Ezri Konsa might indeed prove the best option.

Dream Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.