Mikel Arteta during Arsenal's Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven
Mikel Arteta during Arsenal's Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven
Arsenal are heading into their weekend clash against Manchester United on a high after their midweek victory over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
However, they're aware that another win is crucial to keep their slim, slim, slim Premier League title hopes alive.
Mikel Arteta's squad are currently 16 points behind Liverpool, albeit with two games in hand over Arne Slot's team.
And at Old Trafford, the Gunners will need to replicate their European form after lacklustre performances in their last two league matches all but ended their title hopes, with the side scoring just twice in their last FOUR league games prior to the resounding PSV win. Those goals both came late in the game against bottom of the pile Leicester City.
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Nonetheless, morale will be high after their effortless defeat of the Eredivisie team - but Arteta faces decisions with regards his starting lineup.
With Ben White making appearances from the bench following his return from injury there's questions over whether he returns in defence to get additional minutes from the start, while Myles Lewis-Skelly will also be back in action after serving a suspension for his red card against West Ham.
But the youngster was subbed off in midweek before the break when perhaps he should've already been dismissed and Jurrien Timber's flexibility means Arteta has options at the back.
However, five players will definitely be unavailable for selection against Ruben Amorim's side due to various reasons.
Bukayo Saka continues to be absent
Bukayo Saka continues to be absent ( Image: Getty Images)
Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu are set to miss the rest of the season due to knee surgery, while Kai Havertz is also ruled out until pre-season following a hamstring operation.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are both also still on the sidelines too. This leaves Arsenal with ONLY 17 senior players available for selection for their upcoming match against Manchester United, according to the official club website. That doesn't include Lewis-Skelly or Ethan Nwaneri - listed as Arsenal Academy players on the Gunners' official site - who will be included in the squad as usual.
Academy forward Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, who has been a regular on the substitutes' bench recently, could also receive another call-up to offer an extra attacking threat.
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