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Mikel Arteta provides update on Mikel Merino and Eddie Nketiah ahead of Aston Villa trip

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a transfer update on two players ahead of the Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Saturday evening.

The Gunners had an impressive start to the campaign with a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka scored in the first and second half respectively.

The London giants will travel to Villa Park for tomorrow’s game. It could be a tricky encounter, considering Unai Emery’s side did the league double over the Gunners.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta was posed with multiple questions and one of those was related to Mikel Merino, who is on the verge of joining the club.

Like always, the Spanish tactician refused to speak on players who are not in the squad.

He said live on Arsenal.com: “I cannot talk about any player that’s not with us. There’s still time in the market.”

When asked whether Merino’s transfer will be done soon, he added: “I don’t know soon. The full focus is on the players that we have at the moment.”

Eddie Nketiah recently agreed personal terms with Nottingham Forest and talks are advanced between the clubs over the transfer package.

When pressed on the striker’s situation, Arteta said that he expects the club graduate to train and be prepared for the Midlands trip tomorrow.

He further said: “I expect Eddie to train with us today. To be prepared for tomorrow. Whatever happens will happen if it’s good for everybody.”

Arsenal face a huge test of their title credentials against Villa on the road. They had scoring opportunities in both games last term but failed to capitalise on them.

Arteta will be aiming for a better attacking performance with more defensive awareness. Villa outclassed the Gunners with counter-attacking goals last season.

There could be a solitary change from the curtain-raiser against Wolves with left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko dropping to the bench for Jurrien Timber.

Zinchenko won only 40 percent of his duels last weekend, losing possession on 11 occasions. Timber should fare better defensively against Leon Bailey.

Stats from Sofascore.com

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