Arsenal host Manchester United in what promises to be a blockbuster showdown in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League, but could see that lead trimmed to two if Manchester City beat Wolves in their 2pm kick-off. Mikel Arteta’s side have won 15 of their 18 league games this season, but their one defeat came at the hands of United.
Erik ten Hag’s side beat Arsenal 3-1 at Old Trafford on September 4 thanks to two goals from Marcus Rashford and one from Antony, which cancelled out Bukayo Saka ’s strike. That previous meeting, and United’s current form, should give United plenty of confidence at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta insists that his side will use that defeat as motivation on Sunday. “We have to learn,” he said in his pre-match press conference. “There were some important lessons in that game and why we lost it when in many moments we had control of the game.
“But we know that’s one of the qualities of United – when you have control of the game the match can get away from you because they have so much individual talent, they have good organisation and they have many ways to create problems. We have to be at our best to win on Sunday.”
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Arsenal have no new injury problems, but are still without the injured Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson, while Mohamed Elneny will face a late fitness test. Emile Smith Rowe came off the bench in the 2-0 win over Tottenham last weekend and is now in contention to start. Leandro Trossard could make his Arsenal debut after completing a £27million move from Brighton on Friday, before the 12pm deadline.
United’s nine-game winning streak came to an end on Wednesday in a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace. Star midfielder Casemiro picked up a yellow card in that game, meaning he is suspended for the Arsenal game.
Ten Hag will also be without Donny van de Beek, who is out for the season, while Anthony Martial, Diogo Dalot and Jadon Sancho are all unavailable through injury. Jack Butland, who was ineligible against parent club Palace in midweek, could make the bench for the first time following his loan move.
Here are the full squads available to Arteta and Ten Hag for Sunday’s 4.30pm kick-off in north London.
Arsenal
Goalkeepers : Aaron Ramsdale, Matt Turner
Defenders : Kieran Tierney, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Rob Holding, Cedric Soares, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko
Midfielders: Thomas Partey, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka
Forwards: Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard, Marquinhos
Manchester United
Goalkeepers: David de Gea, Tom Heaton, Jack Butland
Defenders: Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen, Fred, Scott McTominay, Kobbie Mainoo
Forwards: Marcus Rashford, Wout Weghorst, Antony, Anthony Elanga, Alejandro Garnacho
