Potential Line-ups: Arsenal vs Manchester United
Manchester United travel to London for their midweek clash against Arsenal.
The Gunners have been struggling since November and have recorded just one win since the last time Unai Emery managed a result. New boss Mikel Arteta has so far taken charge of two fixtures, one ending in a draw and the other in a loss to Chelsea.
On the other hand, United have beaten both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City recently, and have been in better form then their arch rivals despite both clubs suffering a poor season.
Adding salt to the Londoners’ wound, they’ve been ridden with injuries to several key players whilst the Red Devils would only be short of Scott McTominay.
With so many things bothering Arteta and his team selection, let’s take a look at how both teams could line up on Wednesday.
Arsenal
Callum Chambers suffered a serious injury during his side’s last outing and will consequently miss the rest of the season. This will be a big blow to the Emirates outfit as the Englishman has been their best defender this season by a margin.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos is also out this week following a concussion, as per the BBC. Hector Bellerín and Rob Holding are yet to make the matchday squad since their injuries this season. Kieran Tierney is still recovering from his shoulder operation alongside fellow left-back Sead Kolasinac.
Meanwhile, Granit Xhaka has been down with illness and it is unknown weather he will make the squad tomorrow. Dani Ceballos is said to be back in full training, but similar to Holding and Bellerín, is yet to even make the bench since his injury.
Among the forwards, Gabriel Martinelli is also out with a knock.
Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno
Defenders: Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Shkodran Mustafi, David Luiz and Bukayo Saka.
Midfielders: Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi and Mesut Özil
Forwards: Nicolas Pepe, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Reiss Nelson
Alexandre Lacazette hasn’t put up a single admirable performance lately and the gaffer might drop him for Nicolas Pepe who is yet to start under him.
Formation: 4-2-1-3
Manchester United
The Red Devils have finally nursed Paul Pogba back to full fitness. The Frenchman will be available for selection as per Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, McTominay is out for this week’s match. But Fred’s recent burst of form would be more than enough to make up for it. Apart from that, Solskjaer has no injuries to worry about.
Saka already being a very pacey player by nature, starting Daniel James would not be wise as it is his biggest strength. Mason Greenwood would be perfect to counter Arsenal’s makeshift left-back with his skills and movement.
Brandon Williams on the other hand has impressed with his latest exploits and could yet again receive the nod over Luke Shaw.
Goalkeeper: David De Gea
Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Brandon Williams
Midfielders: Paul Pogba, Fred and Andreas Pereira
Forwards: Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford
The Mancunians’ forwards have been in bang in form lately and will likely remain unchanged from their previous outing.
Pogba and Andreas Pereira will probably be instructed to play in a double pivot with Fred in the centre whilst the pair switch creative duties between them.
Formation: 4-3-3