Strongest Arsenal XI to Face Manchester United

Arsenal will look to bounce back following their Champions League defeat when they take on Manchester United at the Emirates on Sunday. Manchester United are the form team in the Premier League right now and were one of only two English winners in Europe midweek, beating VfL Wolfsburg on Wednesday. Manchester United are the form team in the Premier League right now and were one of only two English winners in Europe midweek, beating VfL Wolfsburg on Wednesday.

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech

Wenger made the controversial decision to start David Ospina against the Greek side but Petr Cech should return between Arsenal posts against United. Cech, however has conceded two goals in each of his last two Premier League matches having previously kept three successive clean sheets. Hopefully, he will have fully recovered from his calf injury and Wenger will not be reasonable enough to use him and not stick with his Ospina to prove nothing.

Defense: Hector Bellerín, Per Mertesacker, Gabriel Paulista and Nacho Monreal

Laurent Koscielny has been ruled out with a hamstring injury picked up midweek and could be out for three weeks, meaning Per Mertesacker should start alongside Gabriel at the back. Wenger appears to have lost faith with Mathieu Debuchy, and Hector Bellerin is now unquestionably our first choice right-back. Monreal is expected to replace Gibbs on the left-hand side of the defense.

Midfield: Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Özil and Alexis Sánchez

Francis Coquelin was back against Olympiakos and should therefore, start against United on Sunday. Coquelin is hard to get past and will be needed especially with Koscielny being absent. Cazorla will be expected to start alongside Coquelin at the base of the midfield. Aaron Ramsey started the game on the bench midweek, but there’s no reason why he won’t be fresh to start versus Manchester United. Ozil will be deployed right behind the striker in the number 10 role, he has been in brilliant form this season but looked a little off colour in the mid-week. Sanchez will retain his place his place in the team, the Chilean works hard defensively which could help stop Juan Mata from being a big influence on the game.

Attack: Theo Walcott

Theo Walcott continued his fine form in front of goal with another strike on Tuesday so we’ll see him once again start ahead of Olivier Giroud up front. His speed is exactly what will be needed against United’s defence on Sunday and hopefully, he will convert some of the chances that will be created.