Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta's selection hint as talisman faces 'last moment' fitness test

Mikel Arteta's rampant Arsenal side will look to extend their lead atop the Premier League when they visit Aston Villa early Saturday afternoon
Arsenal could extend their lead at the Premier League's summit to eight points with victory over Aston Villa on Saturday. But Unai Emery's side are on a roll, having won their last four top-flight games.
The Gunners are sitting pretty at the top after their 2-0 victory against Brentford restored a five-point advantage over the chasing Manchester City. But just one point behind Pep Guardiola's second-place men in the table sit Villa.
After a dismal beginning, Emery's squad are on fire, but they may be without a talismanic figure for the game against Arsenal. Mirror Football takes a look at the latest news from the Emirates, including Arteta's selection hint and a new signing's glee.
Aston Villa talisman facing last-minute fitness test
Villa have long been anchored by Argentine shot-stopper Emi Martinez and despite endless transfer speculation, he remained at Villa Park this summer.
But the 33-year-old was absent from their latest win against Brighton, having pulled out during the warmups after feeling pain in his back.
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Emery confirmed he has skipped a training session and while he didn't rule him out of the Arsenal tie, he admits it will be a late call. He said on Friday: "We will train this afternoon.
"He didn't train yesterday, but it is very important for him how the passing hours are to feel better. Until the last moment, I don't know if he will be available or not tomorrow."
Mikel Arteta drops striker hint
Mikel Merino was bought by Arsenal as a midfielder but in the absence of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and temporarily Viktor Gyokeres, he has been filling in at striker. He has two goals in his last two league matches.
Arteta was asked if this could be a position the Spaniard plays in even when everyone is fit and the head coach claimed Merino would definitely be considered for such a role.
"He has earned at least the thinking behind it for the way he is performing and the impact he is bringing to the team. That's a yes," Arteta said. "Yes, and them playing together, those two [Merino and Kai Havertz], even with Viktor [Gyokeres].
"Or it can be with Gabi [Jesus]. They were things we prepared in the summer because of the squad we had, but so far we haven't been able to do it."
Noni Madueke opens up about settling in
English winger Madueke was purchased from Chelsea this summer to give the Gunners some more ammunition out wide. His arrival didn't go down well with fans though and some even signed a petition voicing their disdain at the signing.
Madueke has taken no notice of this and has settled in well. He told the club's website: "I love playing at Emirates [Stadium], it's a really special feeling for me to play there.
"I feel the connection between me and the fans and it's just my job to continue to do the best I can to help the team achieve its goals and I'm sure that bond will grow.
"Competition for places, that's exactly what you need when you want to be fighting on all four fronts, it's great for keeping the standards high around the players on the training pitch."