Arsenal: 4 things we’d like to see vs Manchester United

4. Trust Martin Odegaard in the No. 10

This is a game where you can see Alexandre Lacazette getting the nod. Winning the physical battle in a United frail midfield can completely disrupt any fluency the hosts want to build as it’s in central areas this season where structurally the approach is to, well, hope for the best.

Having a commanding presence like Lacazette in their can break whatever link there is between front and back. He’ll get in their faces and ruffle feathers.

But he adds next to nothing in terms of goal threat. Fans are rightly concerned over Aubameyang’s lack of goals and in playing Lacazette there is little being done to aid that. Having got the nod against Newcastle, an extended run in the team in the No. 10 position is what Odegaard, and Arsenal, need.

When he’s on the ball everyone is in play. That’s his special power. He was rusty in those early exchanges against the Magpies but as soon as he started finding his feet his vision opened new doors in attack. Arsenal’s highest shot count matches come when he’s in the team.

The time has come at 22 years old to let him fly the creative flag for the rest of this season and beyond. While Lacazette will be needed plenty more before the campaign concludes, Odegaard is the man brought in to own that position for many years after the Frenchman is gone.

Let centrality build between him and Partey. Play the talent. Trust the talent.