**Mikel Arteta locks horns with Ruben Amorim for the third time in his managerial career when Arsenal face off against Manchester United on Wednesday night.**
The Spaniard is yet to defeat his Iberian foe, although his side enter the midweek contest in tremendous form and as the favourites to extend their winning run.
The November break may well be remembered as the watershed moment in Arsenal's season (or Martin Odegaard's return from injury just before), with the Gunners moving through the gears in their previous three outings.
However, Amorim's coaching and the swift impact he's had on this United team rendered Wednesday's duel a tricky one for the hosts. Moreover, a couple of fresh injury concerns has raised doubts as to whether Arteta will be able to name his strongest XI for their upcoming duel.
Here's the team the boss could pick for [United's visit](https://paininthearsenal.com/arsenal-vs-man-utd-preview-prediction-lineups-04-12-24).
Arsenal have found their most potent form after the November break / HENRY NICHOLLS/GettyImages
**David Raya (GK) -** For the love of God, David, let's not allow Marcus Rashford to score at the Emirates again, eh? The Man Utd forward has an impressive record against the Gunners, and he has previously enjoyed his trips to north London.
**Jurrien Timber (RB) -** I really don't think we'll ever see Timber have a bad game. A lot is going to be demanded of the right-back, however, with Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu sidelined.
**William Saliba (CB) -** A model of consistency this term, Amorim will surely aim to penetrate in behind the Arsenal backline via the channel running of Rashford should Joshua Zirkzee start up top. Saliba rarely lets his opponents settle.
**Gabriel (CB) -** Rasmus Hojlund will see plenty of Gabriel if Amorim opts to recall the Dane to his starting XI, but Zirkzee might be the smarter option given his propensity to drop deep and attract centre-backs into zones they shouldn't be entering.
**Riccardo Calafiori (LB) -** Off on the hour. Calafiori's being managed by the Gunners having recently returned from a knee injury, but the shackles will surely come off soon.
**Thomas Partey (CM) -** An injury was always around the corner for Partey given his workload at the start of 2024/25, but his [latest setback doesn't appear to be anything serious](https://paininthearsenal.com/thomas-partey-injury-update-why-arsenal-midfielder-miss-west-ham-win). He travelled with the team on Saturday and could come straight back into the XI on Wednesday.
**Declan Rice (CM) -** Rice announced himself to the Emirates faithful in this fixture last season, and the Gunners could do with the midfielder producing similar dominance on Wednesday. Mikel Merino is likely to miss out due to a knee injury.
**Martin Odegaard (CM) -** Let's not complicate it. Arsenal have been infinitely better since the November break because Odegaard is back in the team. That's the explanation. He elevates the Gunners in every phase.
**Bukayo Saka (RW) -** Saka's now up to ten assists for the Premier League season and is hunting Thierry Henry's long-standing record. Will he deliver under the lights against a historic rival?
**Kai Havertz (ST) -** Havertz's role is no longer ludicrously fluid, with Arteta now tasking the German with occupying the central space and attacking the box. He's benefitting from Odegaard's return, scoring two in his previous two games.
**Gabriel Martinelli (LW) -** Arteta is unlikely to shuffle his pack too much for Wednesday's clash, but one change he could make is bringing in Martinelli for Leandro Trossard, who performed well at West Ham. The Brazilian has shown signs as of late of finding some goalscoring form.