Pain in the Arsenal
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Manchester United vs Arsenal: Who gets into our combined XI?

By James Cormack

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 1418428382, 1196044327 - GRADIENT ADDED) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United (L) and Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal. Manchester United and arsenal meet in a Premier League match on September 4,2022 at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United looks on prior to the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Manchester United at Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on December 26, 2019 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 1418428382, 1196044327 - GRADIENT ADDED) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United (L) and Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal. Manchester United and arsenal meet in a Premier League match on September 4,2022 at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United looks on prior to the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Manchester United at Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on December 26, 2019 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /
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Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli have established a great relationship in Arsenal’s attack. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)
Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli have established a great relationship in Arsenal’s attack. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images) /

Jadon Sancho (RW) – Bukayo Saka is probably a better footballer than Sancho, but there certainly isn’t too much between them and the United winger beats out his compatriot in regards to current form, so he makes it into our XI. Sancho’s Bundesliga magic is yet to manifest in the Premier League but there are signs this season of the Camberwell-born star rediscovering his swagger. His finish against Liverpool which ignited United’s current resurgence was trademark Sancho.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) – I don’t see how you can put Cristiano Ronaldo into this team, especially when you take into account the start Gabriel Jesus has made to life at the Emirates. Ten Hag’s using the fading all-time great as a not-so-super sub. Anyway, Jesus. What can I say? The Brazilian has dazzled Gooners this season and has almost single-handedly morphed Arsenal’s attacking unit into a vibrant, athletic one laden with swift interchanges. If you exclude Scandinavian robots, Jesus has arguably been the Premier League’s stand-out performer through five weeks.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – Arsenal’s new #11 has benefitted massively from Jesus’ arrival as the pair have struck up a healthy dynamic in the front line. Martinelli has started the campaign in a productive fashion and the early signs suggest the relentless winger might be coming of age in north London. Defenders must detest facing up against the Brazilian, who plays like there’s an endless stream of sugar circulating around his body.