Donyell Malen Set for Premier League Debut Against Former Club Arsenal

LONDON, England — Donyell Malen could make his Premier League debut for Aston Villa against his former club Arsenal on Saturday, just days after completing a £21 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund. The 25-year-old forward, who left Arsenal’s academy in 2017, is poised to face his old team in a high-stakes clash at Emirates Stadium.

Malen, who idolized Arsenal legends Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp during his youth, joined the Gunners in 2015 but departed two years later without making a first-team appearance. His exit was reportedly marred by criticism from then-head of youth development Andries Jonker, who allegedly referred to Malen as “too fat” during his time at the club. Reflecting on his departure, Malen told Dutch media, “I heard him say that I came in too fat. That surprised me. I was not yet match fit, but too fat? No.”

Since leaving Arsenal, Malen has built a successful career, scoring 27 goals in 67 appearances for Arsenal’s academy before moving to PSV Eindhoven for £540,000. He later joined Borussia Dortmund in 2021 for £25 million, where he scored 39 goals and provided 20 assists in 237 senior appearances. Now, with Villa, Malen aims to prove his worth in the Premier League and potentially haunt his former club.

Villa manager Unai Emery has long admired Malen, and the forward’s versatility across the front three positions makes him a valuable addition to the squad. Emery said, “He is always close to the attacking third, close to the opponent’s box, and scores goals and assists. We need a player like him to try and threaten the opponent.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal faces mounting challenges in their forward line. With Gabriel Jesus sidelined due to an ACL injury and Raheem Sterling struggling for form, manager Mikel Arteta has limited options. Kai Havertz remains the lone striker, while Villa boasts a wealth of attacking talent, including Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran, who have combined for 13 goals this season.

The match also sees significant lineup changes for both teams. Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino return to the starting XI, while William Saliba is rested after playing every minute of the past seven games. Villa’s Ian Maatsen replaces Lucas Digne at left-back, with Malen among the substitutes.

As Arsenal seeks to close the four-point gap to league leaders Liverpool, Villa aims to continue their strong form under Emery. The stage is set for a dramatic encounter, with Malen’s potential debut adding an extra layer of intrigue to the Premier League narrative.