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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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Arsenal, Arsene Wenger
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal gestures as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal comes on during the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on April 22, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Front Three

The final position that I feel will see a lot of rotation is in the front three. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is almost certain to start given that he is cup-tied in the Europa League and cannot play, while Alex Iwobi, I believe, will join him, most likely on the right wing. It is the third and final position that throws up a great many options.

If Wenger wants to play a strong side, he could look to Mesut Ozil or Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the latter of which has just returned from his knee injury and will be in need of some match sharpness prior to the second leg if he is to feature at all. If Wenger wants to rest those likely to play midweek and turn to a more youthful set-up, he has the likes of Reiss Nelson waiting in the wings.

I believe that he will do neither of those things, compromising on both of them. Danny Welbeck may be considered a starting player while Mkhitaryan is on the sidelines, but he is not of the same importance of a Mesut Ozil or Aaron Ramsey. He is also not as youthful and inexperienced as a Reiss Nelson. And so, to appetise both, I expect Wenger to split the middle and select Welbeck.

Next: Arsenal Vs Atletico Madrid: 5 things we learned

That compromise is the theme of Wenger’s team selections in the Premier League. He still wants to win, but he also recognises the importance of the Europa League. Will it be a compromise that pays dividends in both competitions?