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Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Man Utd: Arteta makes four changes!

By James Cormack

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Fulham at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 26, 2023. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Fulham at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 26, 2023. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal get their first taste of ‘Big Six’ opposition on Sunday as they take on Manchester United at the Emirates.

While the Gunners haven’t quite purred at the start of the new season, they’ve nonetheless taken seven points from a possible nine and sit in a strong position towards the top of the Premier League table at this early stage.

Sunday, however, will be a test.

United are without several key players for their visit to north London, but Erik ten Hag will undoubtedly set his side up in a way that could potentially frustrate the hosts.

Many have called for the boss the make several changes to his starting XI, and I expect Mikel Arteta will hear those cries and change tack.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Man Utd

Here’s the lineup Arteta could deploy for Sunday’s game against United.

Eddie Nketiah scored twice in this fixture last season. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Eddie Nketiah scored twice in this fixture last season. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – While he was poor for Fulham’s opener last weekend, Ramsdale’s place isn’t yet under severe threat despite David Raya’s arrival.

Ben White (RB) – A dynamic shift means White should return to the right-back role which he performed so effectively last season.

William Saliba (CB) – The Frenchman is a shoo-in and will continue to be as long as he stays fit. His recovery speed will be crucial against Marcus Rashford.

Gabriel (CB) – The first of four potential changes. Gabriel’s omission is believed to be purely tactical, but it’s time to revert to last season’s winning formula. Bring the Brazilian back in, Mikel.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – Zinchenko undoubtedly made a difference last weekend, and I’d be shocked if he doesn’t make his first start of the campaign on Sunday.

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (DM) – No more inverting. With Zinchenko back in, Partey can perform a more typical midfield function.

Declan Rice (CM) – It’ll be interesting to see the positions Rice takes up should both Partey and Zinchenko start. Will he be tasked with occupying zones that come with the ‘Granit Xhaka role’?

Martin Odegaard (CM) – Odegaard’s campaign is yet to ignite, but a stellar performance against one of our biggest rivals would certainly kick-start the skipper’s season.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – Fresh off his PFA Young Player of the Year crowning, Saka will make his 84th consecutive Premier League appearance on Sunday and face up against a makeshift United left-back, whomever it may be.

Eddie Nketiah (ST) – Buoyed by his maiden senior England call-up, Nketiah deserves to return to the starting XI after scoring his second goal of the campaign against Fulham. The striker bagged a match-winning brace in this fixture last season.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – Leandro Trossard didn’t do enough last weekend to convince Arteta he’s worthy of another start, so Martinelli’s place down the left should be safe.