In what is easily their most important game of the campaign, Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal welcome Manchester United to the Emirates this weekend to settle the race for the top-4 this season. The Gunners are fresh from a loss at the White Hart Lane and will be looking to seek revenge while Jose Mourinho will want to take nothing less than all three points against his arch rival in Arsene Wenger. Here is the predicted lineup that Wenger might field in search of all three points.
Team News:
The Gunners are without the services of midfielder Santi Cazorla who is out for the rest of the season. Granit Xhaka is doubtful for this tie but Lucas Perez and Shkodran Mustafi are expected to be back in action.
Expected line up (3-4-3):
Defence:
The first choice shot-stopper for Arsenal, Petr Cech had a tough time against Spurs but is expected to keep his place in the side for this tie. Wenger has used a three-man defence in recent times and should stick with it. This will see Laurent Koscielny play at the heart of the defence on the night.
The experienced Gabriel Paulista should play on the right side of the backline while Shkodran Mustafi, who is just back from an injury, could slot in at the left side, pushing the young Rob Holding on to the bench.
Midfield:
Granit Xhaka is doubtful for this game and could be replaced by Francis Coquelin in the middle of the park for Arsenal. He should be partnered by Aaron Ramsey, who is enjoying an extended spell in the first team at the Emirates.
Nacho Monreal is the first-choice full-back for Wenger and he should start at left wing-back on the night. Versatile English midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to fill in at right wing-back keeping Hector Bellerin on the bench yet again for this game.
Attack:
Neither Danny Welbeck nor Lucas Perez has shown enough promise to start this game for Arsenal. So Wegner is expected to stick with Olivier Giroud as the target man for this game.
German playmaker Mesut Ozil, though not in great form, should start alongside Alexis Sanchez, who has been in decent form. Wenger will need both players to be at the top of their games on the night as they will be up against a consistent Manchester United side this weekend.
This is how they would line up:
