Hurzeler made three changes and changed the system to a back three following the pre-Christmas 0-0 draw at home to Sunderland. Skipper Lewis Dunk returned from a one-match ban. Dunk’s normal centre-back partner, Jan Paul van Hecke, was restored after illness. Gomez, also ruled out against Sunderland through suspension, started on the left flank.

Arsenal have received a huge boost before their game against Aston Villa, as the team from Birmingham will be without one key star.

Dealt an injury blow right before the game was due to begin, it could have been a tricky afternoon for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners. But they took it in their stride and dominated for more than half the game, ultimately surviving Brighton’s attempt at a fightback.

Arsenal come into this game on the back of a nervy 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, which saw them retain their two-point lead over City at the top of the table. Villa, meanwhile, needed a brace from substitute Ollie Watkins, to notch up a comeback 2-1 win away to Chelsea, thus extending their winning run to 11 games.

Arsenal face a key clash against high-flying Aston Villa in the Premier League as they nurse a cluster of defensive injuries.

The Gunners returned to the top of the Premier League thanks to Martin Odegaard and an own goal from Georginio Rutter.

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard singled out Declan Rice for special praise after a stunning individual display in an unfamiliar right back position against Brighton & Hove Albion which kept the club’s Premier League title aspirations firmly aflame.

RICCARDO CALAFIORI suffered an injury in the warm-up against Brighton as Mikel Arteta suffered another blow. The Arsenal star was due to start at the back in an already-makeshift defence. However,

Martin Odegaard believes Declan Rice's "unbelievable" performance as an emergency right-back demonstrates that Arsenal are "ready to do whatever it takes" to win the Premier League.

The league leaders are still without Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera but Gabriel came on to make his first appearance since November.