Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta should swiftly remove Raheem Sterling from the starting lineup when the Gunners host Aston Villa in Saturday's Premier League showdown.
The Chelsea loanee was rewarded for a bright display off the bench against Manchester United in the FA Cup with a start in Wednesday's North London derby, as the Gunners came from behind to prevail 2-1 over Tottenham Hotspur.
However, Sterling did little to impress Arteta, who brought him off for Gabriel Martinelli in the 61st minute, and that alteration should now be made from the first whistle at the Emirates Stadium.
Martinelli should deputise for the stricken Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri on the right wing, while Kai Havertz is holding the fort up front alone after Gabriel Jesus's season-ending ACL injury.
Leandro Trossard's crisp winner in the North London derby guarantees him a starting spot too, and Arteta should also see no need to alter the midfield make-up of Thomas Partey, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are both working their way back from serious knee injuries, meaning that there will be no respite for Jurrien Timber at right-back, and talented teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly should continue on the left-hand side if Riccardo Calafiori is not back from a muscular problem.
William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and David Raya will act as the last line of defence as ever; the latter memorably pulled off one of the saves of the season from Ollie Watkins in August's reverse fixture.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard
> Click here to see how Aston Villa could line up for this clash
Ben Knapton
