The new season kicks off today and to be extremely honest, we’re hardly in the kind of shape that would instil optimism in Arsenal ranks.

First, as Ahmed stated Arseblog’s preview as biased, I think it could be interesting for our readers to check out an entirely opposite view. Our chums at Ashburton Groove emailed us about a feature they did with an Aston Villa fan who previews the game. Click here for an Aston Villa perspective on the match.

Second, injury news. Tomas Rosicky and Jose Antonio Reyes are out with a groin injury that is also going to keep them out of the home leg against Zagreb. Henry’s 50/50 but has been included in the squad, ditto for Freddie Ljungberg who was supposed to be out for the opening few matches of the season.

I suspect Wenger will take this opportunity to let Henry lead out the team in the first competitive match at the Grove. I doubt Henry is in the kind of shape to last him more than one half, so he’ll either (probably) start the first half, or come on at the 60th minute, which could see Robin van Persie and Manu Adebayor starting up front, a partnership that is developing into quite a prolific one.

Arsenal have Cesc and Gilberto manning the midfield, Alex Hleb and Freddie Ljungberg will bomb down the right and left flanks respectively. Manu Eboue will play rightback, though Lauren is taking great strides in recovering from his operation earlier this year. Clichy’s injury, and Cole’s freezeout means the leftback spot will be a toss between Matty Flamini and Justin Hoyte, who got valuable experience playing leftback for Sunderland last season. Johann Djourou fills in for the injured Phillippe Senderos, and Jens Lehmann plays in goes after suffering a mild attack of hypoglycemia after Germany’s midweek friendly.

The match will be very interesting as it’s Arsenal’s first competitive fixture at the new stadium, and at least according to Arsene, it will take ten games or so for it to get a home feel. It could be quite an intimidating atmosphere for the visiting Aston Villa team, with a sold out 60,000 crowd.

Update: Apparently, like Henry, Freddie Ljungberg isn’t fit enough for the full 90 either. Robin van Persie could be deployed on the left.

Expected Arsenal Starting Lineup:

Lehmann

Eboue/Toure/Djourou/Hoyte-or-Flamini

Gilberto

Hleb/Cesc/van Persie

Adebayor/Henry