Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Manchester United: Predicted starting XI — Rest and rotation

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final leg one match between Arsenal FC and Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium on April 26, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final leg one match between Arsenal FC and Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium on April 26, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal and Pablo Zabaleta of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on April 22, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal and Pablo Zabaleta of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on April 22, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Central Midfield

In an effort to win Sunday’s match, I do not expect Wenger to fully abandon his first-team starters. Obviously, Petr Cech will start between the sticks, and I have already predicted Hector Bellerin to start at right back. But I think we will see him blend youth and experience a little more in midfield to ensure that Arsenal still have a chance of beating United.

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The one starter who is most likely to feature is Granit Xhaka. Not only is he an everpresent figure at the heart of the midfield, but his only direct replacement, Mohamed Elneny, is unavailable with an ankle injury, and so there is not really an opportunity for Wenger to rest him.

Partnering Xhaka, I think, will be Ainsley Maitland-Niles. He came on for Elneny last week in the midfield, is desperate for minutes at his most favoured position, minutes that Wenger seems willing to give him, and will not be used against Atletico on Thursday night.

They will likely be joined by Jack Wilshere. There is a chance that Wenger turns to Joe Willock, but I believe that he will be a little hesitant to play two young players in central midfield at Old Trafford. That will allow Wenger to rest Aaron Ramsey, who is more important than Wilshere these days, but still play a midfield that can at least contend with Mourinho’s.