Not even Mikel Arteta would make this Arsenal lineup blunder (unless?)

Mikel Arteta has the entire weight of the Emirates resting on his shoulders as Arsenal fans expect him to deliver a trophy this season. As he sits down today to consider his starting lineup for tomorrow's curtain raiser at Old Trafford, surely there's one player who won't be starting the match.

The starting lineup picks itself really. Doesn't it? Raya, Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Lewis-Skelly, Zubi, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Gyokeres.

It's the team every Arsenal fan expects to take the field at 'the theatre of dreams' on Sunday afternoon. Perhaps some will have Havertz in for Gyokeres and give the Swede a little more time to settle in at the Emirates – but not many.

There's an argument for Nwaneri to be included

There's even an argument for Nwaneri to be included. His direct running offers an alternative to Odegaard in the central attacking position. Again, most would probably plump for Odegaard.

On the right-side of defence, Ben White offers more going forward that Jurien Timber, it has been argued. This could be Arteta's biggest selection headache. Unless...

Martinelli's not looked great in pre-season has he? The alternative? Surely not. To be fair, Noni Madueke has added something that has been missing with Martinelli. Madueke's ability to go past his man and get a cross in has not gone unnoticed.

Starting Madueke would be a bold decision

Starting with Madueke would be a bold – nay foolish – move from Arteta. If he starts Madueke and it all goes wrong, there would be no hiding place.

Let's take a look at what each player offers before we dismiss the matter out of hand.

Looking at some of the key stats from last season, both players are quite similar in terms of goals and assists. Martinelli played more minutes than Madueke so that needs to be taken into account.

Madueke is a more successful dribbler than Martinelli

The one striking difference is the number of successful dribbles each player made per 90 minutes. Martinelli only completed 1.29 successful dribbles per match, compared with Madueke's 5. If United play with wing-backs, Madueke could be a better option than Martinelli.

Much will depend on whether Arteta starts Gyokeres. It would make sense, if he does, to play Madueke over Martinelli. Madueke has proven in the pre-season friendlies at the Emirates that he is more effective in creating chances than Martinelli.

Coming at it from a neutral position, Arteta has a difficult choice to make. But, approaching this as a fan, starting Madueke could be career suicide for Arteta.