Thomas Partey Arsenal FC
Thomas Partey Arsenal FC
Arsenal ran riot against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League last week, netting seven goals in a dominant display and with confidence under their belt, the Gunners now turn their attention to Manchester United in the EPL.
United have managed just nine Premier League wins all season, and given the fact that Arsenal are unbeaten in 16 of their last 17 league games this should be a straightforward victory for Mikel Arteta’s side at Old Trafford.
Thanks to their 7-1 win in midweek, Arsenal have one foot in the next round of the Champions League, meaning Arteta has no need to rest his regular starters on Sunday. However, their domestic title hopes are hanging by a thread as they currently sit 13 points behind Liverpool. Anything less than a win at Old Trafford would surely crush their hopes of chasing down Liverpool.
Arsenal’s Team News, Injuries & Possible Rotations:
Riccardo Calafiori, who replaced Ethan Nwaneri in the second half against PSV, should expected to start on Sunday after an impressive display in midweek, where he registered two goal contributions.
The midfield trio will remain unchanged, but Mikel Merino will once again be deployed as a makeshift centre-forward due to Arsenal’s ongoing injury crisis in attack.
Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Bukayo Saka are all sidelined, leaving Merino to lead the line. Despite playing out of position, the midfielder has adapted brilliantly so far, contributing four goal involvements in his last four games.
Raheem Sterling could start on the right if Arteta opts to rest Nwaneri, but with their Champions League tie decided, the Arsenal boss can afford to field a full-strength XI at Old Trafford.
Despite their injury woes, Arsenal have found goals from unexpected sources, and if they replicate even half the intensity they showed against PSV, they should comfortably secure three points against this vulnerable Manchester United side.
The only problem for the Arsenal manager will be his bench strength because if Man United can take the lead and hold onto it, Arteta will find it massively difficult to bring in game-changing substitutes.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Manchester United:
Goalkeeper: David Raya
Defenders: Gabriel, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, William Saliba
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey
Forwards: Mikel Merino, Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri