Man United v Arsenal: Predicted Gunners line-up

Premier League title chasers Arsenal head to Old Trafford to face old rivals Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. 

The Gunners were knocked off top spot on Saturday when Manchester City beat Fulham 4-0, but they will hope to keep alive their chances of title glory by beating the Red Devils on Sunday.

Here, we predict the XI that Mikel Arteta will select to face United.

Goalkeeper

David Raya has missed just two Premier League matches since making his Arsenal debut against Everton in September – both of which he was ineligible for as they were against parent club Brentford. The Spaniard will start once again at Old Trafford, ahead of the out-of-favour Aaron Ramsdale.

Defenders

Arteta has largely named an unchanged back four whenever possible this season, and Ben White has been instrumental to their success. The Englishman has been transformed into a right-back over the past two seasons, and is now regarded as one of the best in the league in that position.

White is in line to start against Manchester United

In the centre of defence, Gabriel is once again set to partner William Saliba. The pair have established themselves as one of the best defensive duos in Europe this season, and Arteta will be relying on them to stop United’s attacking threat.

Takehiro Tomiyasu has been one of Arsenal’s most impressive performers in recent weeks, and the Japan international is set to start on Sunday despite an injury concern.

Midfielders

In midfield, Declan Rice is set to make his 50th appearance for the club, having joined from West Ham United last summer. The England international has featured in every one of the Gunners’ 36 Premier League matches so far this season, starting 35 of them.

Thomas Partey has re-established himself as a regular for Arteta in recent weeks, and the Ghanaian looks likely to start against United on Sunday.

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Partey has returned to the Arsenal starting line-up in recent weeks

Ahead of them, club captain Martin Odegaard will start. The Norwegian has been in fine form this season and was nominated for the Player of the Season award this week.

Forwards

In attack, Arteta will be hoping that Bukayo Saka can return to full fitness in time to start the match. The Englishman has scored in each of his last two league games.

Through the middle, Kai Havertz is expected to start and will be hoping to continue his good run of form. The German has scored eight goals in his last 12 Premier League matches.

Havertz has been in fine form for the Gunners of late

On the left, Leandro Trossard could be given the nod ahead of Gabriel Martinelli. Trossard has scored four times in six games.

Predicted XI: Raya; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Tomiyasu; Rice, Odegaard, Partey; Saka, Havertz, Trossard.