Arsenal predicted XI vs Man Utd as £65m man dropped amid three key changes

Is there a Premier League fixture as steeped in nostalgia and enduring bitterness as Arsenal vs Manchester United? For years upon years, this was the match to end all matches - the cerebral grappling of Fergie and Arsene, the titles won and lost, the pizza frisbees.

In recent times, the stakes have often been somewhat lower. It has been quite a while since both the Gunners and the Red Devils were concurrently at the summit of the top flight for any extended stint, and as such, it has generally been pride, rather than silverware on the line.

That being said, with Arsenal’s recent revival under Mikel Arteta, the belief in north London is that they are genuine contenders once more, although that mantle could be seriously dinted if they drop points for a second game running following last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Fulham. But will the Gunners opt to make any changes ahead of their showdown with Erik ten Hag’s side?

Goalkeeper

Aaron Ramsdale is still hanging on in there. Just about. After the summer arrival of David Raya, there have been questions over who Arteta will trust as his number one in the long term, but for now, at least, the England international should remain between the sticks. Whether that will be the case if he continues to have moments like he did in the first minute against Fulham, only time will tell.

Defence

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Last season only Manchester City and Newcastle United conceded fewer goals than Arsenal in the Premier League, and yet Arteta has spent the early stages of this campaign tinkering with his backline in an effort to squeeze the final few drops of defensive obstinacy from it.

An injury to Jurrien Timber did little aid him in that regard, but after handing opportunities to both Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior at left-back, and experimenting with Thomas Partey as a hybrid right-back/midfielder/thingamajig, why not just kick it old school for 90 minutes and see how that pans out? Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko on the flanks with Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba in the centre. Bosh.

Midfield

A reversion of White to full-back would also free up the aforementioned Partey to move back into a proper midfield role. Kai Havertz has looked okay in flashes since joining from Chelsea over the summer for around £65 million, but it would be disingenuous to suggest that he has been a complete success, and in a match against a fellow top six rival, you just wonder if the added solidity of another defensively-minded player could be preferred.

That, in turn, would allow Declan Rice to step on a touch more in support of Martin Odegaard, who remains the fulcrum of so much creative positivity in Arsenal’s engine room.

Attack

Last weekend, Arteta opted to drop Eddie Nketiah in favour of Leandro Trossard. After the Hale End graduate came off the bench to help turn that game on its head, you would imagine that the manager will seriously reconsider reinstating his number 14, who received a first senior England call-up earlier in the week.

Out wide, provided hell doesn’t freeze over and pigs don’t sprout wings and take to the skies between now and Sunday afternoon, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will get the nod on their respective wings.

Full Predicted XI

Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard; Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli.