Arsenal's Predicted Starting XI for Manchester United Clash: Four Changes and a Striker Dilemma
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is grappling with significant selection decisions ahead of Sunday's high-stakes Premier League encounter with Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium. The match, scheduled for a 16:30 GMT kick-off, could see the Gunners extend their lead at the top of the table to ten points, provided other results align favourably. With main rivals Manchester City and Aston Villa facing Wolves and Newcastle respectively on Saturday, Arsenal will enter this fixture fully aware of the league landscape, potentially needing a victory to maintain their current seven-point advantage.
Defensive Concerns and Potential Changes
Arteta's squad demonstrated impressive depth in midweek, securing a 3-1 Champions League victory over Inter Milan at the San Siro, a result that keeps Arsenal top of both the Premier League and the league phase of Europe's elite competition. However, this success has created a selection headache for the weekend, compounded by injury doubts over key defenders. The Gunners will be without young midfielder Ethan Nwaneri, who completed a loan move to Marseille on Friday, but more pressing are concerns in the backline.
Left-back Riccardo Calafiori remains a major absentee, sidelined since late December with a muscle issue. His availability for Sunday is uncertain, with Arteta stating on Friday that fitness assessments will follow the final training session. Similarly, Piero Hincapie, who has impressed in Calafiori's absence, is racing against time to recover from an injury sustained in the goalless draw with Liverpool earlier this month. If neither defender is deemed fit, Arteta may opt to shift Jurrien Timber to left-back and reinstate Ben White into the starting lineup, offering increased defensive solidity to counter the threat of United's Bryan Mbeumo.
The £64m Striker Conundrum
Perhaps the most intriguing dilemma for Arteta revolves around the striker position. Gabriel Jesus, handed just his third start of the season in all competitions against Inter, responded with a first-half brace, rewarding his manager's faith and staking a strong claim for a Premier League recall. In contrast, Viktor Gyokeres, a £64 million signing, has started 17 of Arsenal's 22 league matches this term and made an immediate impact off the bench in midweek, scoring within nine minutes of his introduction.
With both players eager to start, Arteta faces a tactical decision. Jesus may have earned a league start through his Champions League heroics, especially given Arsenal's failure to score in their last two Premier League outings. Meanwhile, Gyokeres could thrive once again as a motivated substitute, a role where Kai Havertz also hopes to feature following his return from injury. This striker selection could prove pivotal in a match where Arsenal seek to bolster their title credentials.
Full Predicted Lineup and Tactical Setup
Arsenal are expected to deploy a 4-3-3 formation, with David Raya in goal. The defence could see Ben White return at right-back, alongside William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes in central defence, with Jurrien Timber potentially covering at left-back. In midfield, Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, and Declan Rice are likely to provide the engine room, offering creativity and control. The attack is predicted to feature Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard on the wings, with Gabriel Jesus leading the line, subject to Arteta's final call on the striker role.
This lineup reflects four changes from the midweek victory over Inter, highlighting the squad rotation and strategic adjustments Arteta must navigate. As Arsenal prepare for a crucial fixture, these selections will be scrutinised for their impact on the title race, with victory potentially delivering a significant psychological blow to their rivals.
