Aston Villa’s Donyell Malen Set to Face Former Club Arsenal in Premier League Debut

After his recent £21m transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Aston Villa, Donyell Malen is poised to make his Premier League debut against his former club Arsenal, in a match broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Villa’s acquisition of Malen comes as a response to the departure of Jaden Philogene and the inconsistent form of Leon Bailey. Malen, who left Arsenal’s academy for PSV Eindhoven in 2017, now has a chance to prove himself against his old team.

Malen’s Point to Prove Against Arsenal

Having idolized Arsenal legends Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, Malen’s departure from the club in 2017 after being labeled as “too fat” has left unfinished business. With his career now flourishing, Malen has a chance to showcase his talents once again in the Premier League.

Making an Impact at Villa

Malen’s versatility and experience in European competitions bring much-needed depth to Villa’s attacking options. His ability to play across the front three positions will be a valuable asset to Villa manager Unai Emery.

Malen’s Versatility by the Numbers

With a proven track record of goal-scoring and creating opportunities, Malen’s previous performances at Dortmund and PSV indicate a promising future at Villa. Emery’s tactical acumen is expected to maximize Malen’s potential in the team.

Arsenal’s Striking Woes

On the other hand, Arsenal’s struggles in the forward department have been exacerbated by injuries and lack of options. With Villa boasting multiple quality strikers, Arsenal’s reliance on Kai Havertz as the lone forward reflects their current predicament.

As Malen prepares to face his former club, the clash between Arsenal and Villa highlights the contrasting situations at both clubs in terms of striking options.

Don’t miss the action as Arsenal takes on Aston Villa live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League this Saturday from 5pm.