Walcott makes Gunners bench

Arsenal started life at the Emirates Stadium without want-away defender Ashley Cole against Aston Villa – but there was a place on the bench for England starlet Theo Walcott for the first time in the Premiership.

Thierry Henry returned to captain the side having been rested for the recent Champions League qualifier, while Jens Lehmann was back in goal despite needing treatment for hypoglycaemia while on international duty with Germany this week.

Fit-again Freddie Ljungberg started as summer signing Tomas Rosicky was out with a groin problem. Justin Hoyte was in at left-back.

Villa were also entering a new era under manager Martin O’Neill. Steven Davis passed a fitness test but injured striker Milan Baros did not make the squad.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Hoyte, Hleb, Fabregas, Silva, Ljungberg, Adebayor, Henry. Subs: Almunia, Van Persie, Flamini, Cygan, Walcott.

Aston Villa: Sorensen, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Samuel, Agbonlahor, McCann, Davis, Barry, Angel, Moore. Subs: Taylor, Laursen, Hendrie, Djemba-Djemba, Phillips.

Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire)