Arsenal vs Manchester United: 5 key players in lynchpin match

3. Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Attack. Attack. Attack. And when you’ve done that, attack some more. Arsenal absolutely must keep the pressure turned up to eleven, and that involves having some high octane guys out there, ready to churn out chances as well as a willingness to track back and help out on the defense.

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Henrikh Mkhitaryan is that guy. He has been tremendous lately, barring the loss to Rennes when he was forced into playing rightback, and has been an absolute difference maker with his attacking ability, driving from deep, from the center, from the right, the left – wherever he is, he is attacking and pressuring the ball.

I don’t suspect that Mesut Ozil will be starting and while I love Aaron Ramsey and what he brings to the side, he’s often more a wild card than anything else. And Alex Iwobi too, major wild card. Mkhitaryan has become our Mr. Reliable in the middle and, that being the case, he is going to be a big factor in the result of this one.

Thankfully, I suddenly have all the confidence in the world that he can uphold his end of the bargain, because Rennes was the anomaly of his recent track record.

On to No. 2.