Photo: Arteta calls up Miguel Azeez to first-team training after injuries to key midfielders

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has called up Miguel Azeez to first-team training ahead of the Gunners’ clash against Aston Villa tonight.

The North Londoners have had an incredible start to the new season, while Villa have struggled. However, this is exactly the type of game that Arsenal have slipped up in over the years, which makes the clash tonight an interesting watch.

Arteta calls up Miguel Azeez to Arsenal first-team training after injuries to key midfielders

Arsenal are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table having won each of their first four games. The Gunners are expected to make it five in five tonight, but Mikel Arteta has issues in the middle of his park.

Mohamed Elneny has reportedly picked up an injury that will keep him out for a few weeks, while Thomas Partey is also not expected to play a part after missing the game last weekend due to a muscle issue.

To add to that, Oleksandr Zinchenko, a player Arteta claimed he could use as a midfielder at Arsenal, was also unavailable for the game against Fulham, and the Gunners boss claimed in his press conference that the Ukrainian, like Partey, is unlikely to be available to face Villa this evening. (Football London)

That leaves Arsenal extremely short in the middle of the park, which is probably why Arteta is thinking of including young Azeez in the squad for the game tonight.

The 19-year-old, branded as ‘outstanding’, took part in first-team training yesterday, and he could well replace Elneny in the squad now.

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Azeez is one of Arsenal’s brightest young talents.

The teenager is excellent on the ball, can play anywhere across central midfield, and can score screamers from distance. He has a bright future at the top level, and his journey could well begin tonight.

With Partey, Elneny and Zinchenko all expected to be out, Arteta will likely go with a central midfield partnership of Granit Xhaka and Albert Sambi Lokonga behind Martin Odegaard.

That’s a good enough midfield to beat Villa tonight, and if Arsenal are really comfortable, Azeez could well be brought on to give someone like Xhaka a breather ahead of the big game against Manchester United this weekend.