Arsenal: Predicted Starting XI To Face Manchester United

Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott

Here’s the thing with Alexis Sanchez. He is tired, whether he wants to admit it or not. But as is usually the case, even when he’s physically tired, his mind still expects the same things out of him. So you start him up front and he starts trying to control the entire attacking half of the pitch and he can’t, because his legs are tired.

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Where do you go from there? Even with a battered back line, Alexis may not find the space he required.

Not only that, but, tired legs and all, I feel like the Chilean’s defensive contributions are going to be needed. Alex Iwobi does not have a knack for playing defense yet and that will cost Arsenal on both sides.

Meanwhile, Theo Walcott is going to be heavily leaned upon to be a threat. We’d love to see him get back on the scoring sheet and he should have room to get in behind the defense to accomplish that task. Then it just comes down to putting the ball away.

Finally, our golden boys up front. And no, I don’t mean Alexis.