A pivotal Premier League title clash is set to be shaped by a significant absentee list, with a dozen players potentially missing when Arsenal host Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Title Implications on the Line in North London
The final top-flight fixture of 2025 carries enormous weight for both clubs. League leaders Arsenal, managed by Mikel Arteta, welcome a Villa side sitting just three points behind in third place. A victory for Unai Emery's team would see them draw level with the Gunners, cementing their status as genuine title contenders. Conversely, a defeat would open up a daunting six-point gap to Arsenal and potentially allow Manchester City to pull further ahead.
Villa travel to North London in formidable form, boasting an unbeaten run of 11 matches, which includes a 2-1 victory over Arsenal at Villa Park earlier in December. However, both squads are grappling with considerable selection headaches ahead of the rematch.
Aston Villa's Squad Challenges
Unai Emery confirmed several key absences for his side. Defender Matty Cash and midfielder Boubacar Kamara are both suspended after each received their fifth yellow cards of the season in Saturday's match against Chelsea.
Emery addressed the suspensions, stating: "There are rules, and if you are getting five yellow cards you are suspended for one match. We have Kamara and Cash out tomorrow for being suspended. We will need other players."
The Villa manager provided updates on injured defenders Pau Torres (calf) and Tyrone Mings (hamstring), indicating they are continuing their recovery processes but not definitively ruling them out. Long-term absentee Ross Barkley (knee) remains unavailable, while winger Evann Guessand is away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.
Arsenal's Injury Concerns Mount
Mikel Arteta's squad is also depleted ahead of the crucial encounter. Defender Riccardo Calafiori is a major doubt after feeling discomfort and being withdrawn from the warm-up before Arsenal's weekend match against Brighton.
Arteta explained: "It's something that he felt yesterday, something very awkward that happened, and today in the warm-up he wasn’t comfortable."
Fellow defender Jurrien Timber is also a serious doubt after suffering an awkward landing in training. Ben White (hamstring) is unlikely to be risked, while Kai Havertz, though nearing a return, may not be rushed back for such a high-stakes fixture. Youngsters Cristhian Mosquera (ankle) and Max Dowman (ankle) are longer-term absentees.
Conclusion: A Test of Squad Depth
This fixture promises to be a severe test of each team's resources and resilience. With up to twelve players potentially missing across both sides, the outcome may hinge on which manager can best navigate the selection crisis. The result will set the tone for the 2026 title race, offering a huge psychological boost to the victor heading into the New Year.
