[4-3-3]: Merino removed, Academy striker start and Partey returns but position changed- Arsenal predicted lineup against Manchester United as Mikel Arteta confirms three major changes ahead of the rival clash
Arsenal will be aiming to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they take on Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Gunners are winless in the last two league games, but they were brilliant against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Mikel Arteta’s registered a stunning 7-1 win over PSV in the first leg of the round of 16 on the road.
The team should be full of confidence ahead of the Manchester trip today. Arsenal are aiming to beat United for a fifth-straight league match.
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Line-up:
David Raya has played every minute of the league campaign and he is guaranteed to continue between the sticks. He will be eyeing his 11th clean sheet of the top-flight season.
We expect one change to the backline with Myles Lewis-Skelly making way for Riccardo Calafiori at left-back. Lewis-Skelly was very lucky to avoid his third red card of the campaign at PSV.
He was replaced early by Calafiori in the opening half. The Italian proved his credentials with a fabulous assist and a superb striker’s finish to make it 7-1 for the Gunners on the night.
Calafiori could get the nod over Lewis-Skelly. He has the knack for getting into brilliant positions in the final third. Manager Mikel Arteta described him as ‘unpredictable and chaotic‘ in his pre-match presser.
Jurrien Timber, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are expected to continue in the backline alongside the former Bologna man.
In midfield, we don’t anticipate any changes. Thomas Partey should continue as the defensive midfielder Partey was not at his best against PSV, but should get the nod over Jorginho due to his extra mobility.
Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard are poised to continue in their central midfield positions against United. Rice delivered a fabulous left-footed cross for Timber’s opening goal in midweek.
Odegaard had his best performance of the campaign with two goals and a late assist. The Norwegian needs to stay consistent if Arsenal want to spring up a surprise in the Champions League.
Further forward, Ethan Nwaneri is poised to continue on the right wing after another fabulous goal in Europe. Leandro Trossard is expected to start on the left flank with Mikel Merino up front.
Merino bagged a goal and an assist against the Dutch champions. The Spaniard has become more accustomed to the number nine role and hopefully, he can contribute the same way.
How Arsenal could line up vs Man Utd
