Arsenal’s final match of 2025 against Aston Villa was always going to be a heavyweight Premier League clash, but the build-up has been dominated by a mounting injury crisis and some last-minute selection drama. With both sides jostling for position at the top of the table, the Gunners were forced to navigate a minefield of fitness concerns—most notably the absence of their midfield general, Declan Rice, whose knee injury has left fans and pundits alike wondering how Mikel Arteta’s side would cope in such a high-stakes encounter.
Let’s rewind to the previous weekend: Arsenal eked out a hard-fought 2-1 win over Brighton, with Rice deployed as an emergency right-back due to a shortage of defenders. Despite picking up a knee issue during that match, Rice managed to soldier on for the full 90 minutes. Yet, as the dust settled, it became clear that the problem was more serious than initially thought. On Monday, Rice was notably absent from training, and by Tuesday, Arsenal confirmed he would not be risked against Aston Villa, prioritizing his long-term fitness over short-term gain. “The decision comes from a place of caution; Arsenal do not want to risk Rice further aggravating the issue,” reported The Athletic.
Rice’s absence is a massive blow for Arsenal, especially considering his pivotal role throughout the 2025 campaign. He’s been lauded as the club’s player of the season so far, anchoring the midfield with authority and even filling in at right-back when called upon. “Rice has arguably been Arsenal’s player of the season so far and his influence in midfield, and anywhere on the pitch, is crucial to the Gunners being on the front foot,” noted one analysis. The Gunners’ hopes of maintaining their position at the league summit now rest on the shoulders of Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, and Eberechi Eze, all expected to start in central midfield in Rice’s absence. Mikel Merino, another option, adds further depth but can any of them truly fill the void left by Rice?
If there’s a silver lining for Arsenal, it’s the potential return of some key defenders. Jurrien Timber, who missed the Brighton match, was spotted arriving with the squad ahead of the Villa clash and was ultimately fit enough to feature at right-back—just in the nick of time. Ben White, who had been sidelined since straining his hamstring in early December, also made a surprise appearance with the team and was declared fit enough to make the bench. “White has seemingly healed well,” one report observed, with another adding, “White is said to be ‘ahead of schedule’ as he works his way back from a hamstring problem and may also make the squad.”
Arsenal’s defensive woes didn’t end there. Riccardo Calafiori, the Italian left-back, was set to start against Brighton but withdrew during the warm-up due to discomfort. He missed the Villa match as well, leaving Gabriel to return to the starting lineup alongside William Saliba at the heart of defense. Gabriel, who had logged his first minutes in nearly two months during the Brighton game, brought some much-needed solidity. The backline for this crucial fixture was further bolstered by Timber’s return, a move that gave Arsenal fans hope of containing Villa’s attacking threats, particularly the surging Morgan Rogers.
Kai Havertz, another key name, was back in training and included in the matchday squad for the first time since sustaining a knee injury on the opening weekend. His return offered Arteta an additional midfield option, though expectations were tempered given his lengthy layoff. “Kai Havertz is also part of his first match-day squad since the opening day of the season when Arsenal ran out 1-0 winners over Manchester United at Old Trafford,” noted one report, highlighting the significance of his comeback.
On the other side, Aston Villa arrived at the Emirates in scintillating form. Unai Emery’s side boasted an 11-game winning streak in all competitions and had already toppled Arsenal 2-1 earlier in December. Victory for Villa would see them draw level with Arsenal at the top of the table on 42 points—a tantalizing prospect for the visitors. Yet, Emery was quick to play down any title talk before the match: “Speaking about the title for me does not make sense for us. Now, in December, it does not make sense. Of course, we are motivated, but, for the moment, we have momentum for the match we want to play tomorrow,” Emery told reporters. The Villa boss emphasized the importance of focusing on the task at hand rather than getting swept up in championship speculation.
Villa, too, were not without their own selection headaches. Right-back Matty Cash and midfielder Boubacar Kamara both missed the Emirates showdown due to suspension after accumulating their fifth bookings of the season. Their absence forced Emery into some tactical adjustments, but the visitors still arrived brimming with confidence, eager to capitalize on Arsenal’s injury woes.
For Arsenal, the Villa match was not just the last fixture of 2025 but also a crucial test ahead of a daunting January schedule. The Gunners face Premier League heavyweights Bournemouth, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, and Manchester United, as well as Champions League ties against Inter and Kairat, an FA Cup clash with Portsmouth, and a Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea. Navigating this stretch without key players will be a stern examination of Arteta’s squad depth and tactical acumen.
Reflecting on the earlier defeat to Villa, Arteta admitted his team had learned valuable lessons. “We’ll watch it back. I have a few ideas and things that we have to do better. And it was quite cruel, as well, the way we lost it. But yeah, we learned from it,” he told reporters. The Arsenal manager challenged his team to maintain their six-game home winning streak and continue to make the Emirates a fortress: “Well, that’s what we want, that every opponent that comes here suffers, and we are as dominant as we were today for the majority of the game and against Villa. We have a really tough match, we know them, what they’re doing and a beautiful game as well to prepare and play.”
As the final whistle approached, both sides knew the stakes couldn’t be higher. Arsenal’s resilience in the face of adversity has been tested time and again this season, and the Villa clash was another chapter in that ongoing story. With Rice sidelined but Timber and White making timely returns, the Gunners hoped to weather the storm and keep their title ambitions on track. The outcome of this top-of-the-table battle may not yet be decided, but one thing’s certain: Arsenal’s ability to adapt under pressure remains a defining trait as they head into a pivotal stretch of the season.
