Arteta drops £29m star | Expected Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1) vs United with Gabriel & Martinelli decisions made

Arsenal entertain rivals Manchester United in today’s Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have picked up three victories on the bounce since the international break. They have scored 13 goals while conceding only three in the process.

Arsenal are second in the league standings with a nine-point deficit to Liverpool and they can’t afford to drop any points against the Red Devils tonight.

The London giants have won their last three games against United including a 1-0 win at Old Trafford back in May.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-up:

David Raya has been Arsenal’s undisputed goalkeeper for the Premier League and Champions League games. The Spaniard has made several world-class saves and he is guaranteed to start between the sticks.

In front of him, it should be the same backline from the last three outings. Jurrien Timber has been brilliant since his move to right-back. He has caught the eye with his link-up play alongside Bukayo Saka.

Riccardo Calafiori was substituted as a precaution against West Ham United. The Italian star should retain his position on the left side of the back four ahead of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior.

Gabriel Magalhaes was taken off at half-time in the recent derby, but manager Mikel Arteta clarified that the substitution was already pre-planned as he was carrying a minor knee problem.

The Brazilian is poised to partner William Saliba in the heart of the defence.

Arteta did not provide any clear update on Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino, who were ruled out against the Hammers last weekend with knee and muscular injuries respectively.

It is most likely that Jorginho will continue in central midfield alongside Declan Rice. Jorginho was brilliant with his defensive involvements on Saturday and received praise from Arteta.

Further forward, Bukayo Saka is an assured starter from the right wing after a sensational performance. Saka provided three assists and scored a goal at the London Stadium.

Martin Odegaard has brought the best out of Saka after his injury comeback. He scored from the penalty spot against the Hammers, but was heavily involved with several key passes.

The captain is expected to start in the number 10 role with Kai Havertz leading the line. The big change could happen on the left wing with Gabriel Martinelli replacing Leandro Trossard.

Martinelli has scored in his last two starts for the London giants. He was an unused substitute on Saturday. Trossard got the nod in the XI. The £29 million-rated star was brilliant with a goal and a superb assist.

Despite this, we anticipate Martinelli to be picked on the left wing ahead of Trossard. The Brazilian’s ability to get behind defences with pace could be more beneficial against the Red Devils.

How Arsenal could line up vs Man Utd

Stats from Transfermarkt.com