These four Arsenal players should be in the starting line-up against Manchester United

Arsenal's English midfielder Bukayo Saka (R) celebrates with Arsenal's Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes (C) after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 22, 2023. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

We’ve noted that Mikel And ought to make some changes in his tactics and lineup for his team to be as effective as they ought to be going into the Arsenal versus Manchester United clash.

Of the changes the Spaniard has to make, these four players should start on Sunday.

Oleksander Zinchenko and Gabriel Magalhaes

The Thomas Partey playing-at-right-back experiment has been heavily criticised, and it is wise for Arteta to drop that tactical move. Dropping that tactic may necessitate for Arteta to revert to a back 4. Last season, a back four of Zinchenko, Gabriel, William Saliba, and Ben White saw the Gunners have one of the finest defences until Saliba got injured. Were he to use them, they may not fail him. All these players are fit to start versus Manchester United; hence, I don’t see why they don’t start.

Eddie Nketiah

Why he didn’t start versus Fulham puzzles many. The Hale End Graduate has been reliable for the last few weeks due to an injury to Gabriel Jesus. Though the Brazilian is back and could be fit to start versus Manchester United, it would be unfair to deny Nketiah the chance to continue leading the Arsenal attack with the momentum he is on. In three games, the No. 14 has two goals. Considering the palpable impact Nketiah had on Arsenal versus Fulham, he can’t be on the bench when Arsenal play next.

Fabio Vieira
The Portuguese, like Nketiah, was an instant hit once introduced in the Fulham game. Against the Cottagers, he contributed to the two goals and was superb in everything he did; he had 100 percent pass accuracy, was hungry for the ball, and just showed everything the Gooners wanted to see from Kai Havertz while he was on the pitch, but didn’t. If there was a time to give the ex-Porto man a chance to break into the Arsenal starting lineup, it is now.

Sam P

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Tags Manchester United

21 Comments

  1. I want to let Arteta know that lot is expected from Arsenal this season. He should not overlook any game in the name of tactical approach. Arteta needs to talk to the players to be hungry for goals so as to kill games as soon as possible instead of being complacent or satisfy with just one goal lead. We saw the outcome with Fulham. This not good.

  2. I have reservation for Viera. He seem better as a super sub than starting. Besides who will he replace. As for Zichenko my fear is will he be able to handle Arthony trickery? Even though I like is creativity and play making but poor defensivel.y Tomiyasu is an option he did well against Palace until his controversial sending off. Good thing is Arteta has options at his disposal.

  3. White is a better central defender than Gabriel. Hes more agile, quicker and a better distributer of the ball//. White has not made any mistakes as a central defender since he has played that position the last few games.// Mistakes were made by fullbacks and the goalkeeper the last few games. //So I would keep White at centerback and buy a new rightback before the deadline. //Keep Gabriel as backup or Sub and to see out the final quarter of the game.

    1. Plainly he is not a sgood as GABRIEL atCB. WhIte is weak and far less able in thr air and a tall srong powerful CB, in fact , two playing together and bothbeing excellent headers, which White is NOT, are of vital importance.

      We need White as RB where he is best suited and can help the outnumbered SAKA whan we attack.

      It worked so well last season, so why change what works so well?. Not GABRIEL, is not wise and esp not against a strong side like UNITED.

  4. My Starting XI vs Manchester United

    Ramsdale
    Saliba
    White
    Partey
    Zinchenko
    Rice
    Havertz
    Ødegaard
    Saka
    Martinelli
    Nketiah

    Subs:Raya, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Jorginho, Vieira, Nelson, Jesus, Trossard,ESR

    1. Very poor lineup! You and I know that Zinchenko is not good at defense, and you chose to oust a left footer, Gabriel who can cover well for him among others?
      Surely, you’ve expose our left back against a strong opponent with this lineup.

  5. In a nut shell, Arsenal has to go back to basic ,it is as simple as that.

    Funnily though, this is the type of game for Havertz, my reasoning is well documented.

  6. Zinchenko is very good a creating avenues when he goes into an inverted midfield role or, when he’s on the offensive helping out in advanced positions. However, defensively he’s not as good a defender as he is at attack. He often loses the ball and can be weak in the challenge. It won’t be just United’s Anthony that will give Zinchenko a headache but anyone he has to defend against.

    Gabriel, we know what to expect from him. Quite sturdy as a centre back but sometimes rash, misjudges ball flights and headers. Nonetheless, he’s formed a good partnership with Saliba and between them they’ve kept us in half decent nick!

    Fabio Vieira wouldn’t be a starter for me. For all the plaudits he might have gained from the Fulham game he’s still too weak, too unsure and too ineffective to be a starter. I’m not too comfortable about him coming on as finisher/late sub. I’ve seen too many games where he’s been rag dolled, lost the ball, conceded possession or just looks totally lost for him to be anything more than a regular sub!

    Eddie Nketia. I know he gets a lot of stick from particularly from one regular contributor on this site. But for me, although he’s not the finished article as a player plying his trade in his position. I think he’ll get better! There’s still a bit for him to learn yet at 24 and despite him being far from the finished article, his contribution to the team is always a relentless energy and commitment. Hard running, closing down, trying to be positively involved and on occasion, chipping in with a goal every now and again. Okay, still has to learn to hold up the ball against big powerful, world wise defenders. He still has to find that killer instinct in front of goal but, I think that’ll come. Would be good if it happened with Arsenal!

    I think Arteta needs to play his strongest most resilient team. Players he knows to have elements of their game that come to the fore too often, should be the ones to make way. Against united, who are finding form you can’t afford the mistakes that Zinchenko or Vieira make, it’s too costly.

  7. Martinelli. Kai/Trossard. Saka.

    Rice. Partey. Odegaard.

    Zinchenko. Gabriel. Saliba. White.

    Raya.

    1. Sorry, Ramsdale of course. Insane to change GK the defense trusts in such an important game.
      Zinchenko and not Tomi or Partey in defence since we need someone who can be an effective inverted-winger, the tactic that made us almost win the league last season. Kai/Trossard as ST since I feel Eddie is not at the required quality. Kai/Trossard is also a gamble. Jesus would be best but probably not yet fit.

  8. Despite his good performance last time out,I don’t think it is the game for him to start.the game against Utd is more than the 3 points and send a message to our closest rivals.
    Ramsdale
    WhiteSalibaG.Maghalēs.Zinchenko
    Partey
    MØ. Rice

    SaKa Martinelli
    Nketiah

  9. Well, Hows about:-

    Ramsdale
    White, Saliba Gabriel, Zinc
    Partey, Rice
    saka, Odegaard, Martinelli
    Eddie N

    Bench
    Raya, Tommy, Kiwior, Riveria, Jesus, Trossard

    Left Back (in the dressing room) Havertz

  10. Agree with the article. I only hope Zinchenko is fit enough to start, else I would go with Tomiyasu as LB. Also Partey pairing up with Rice in midfield is a must against United since we have to deal with Erikson and Cassemiro. That said, Nketiah must start ahead of Jesus not only because he is on a good run but also because he scored twice against United last time around.

  11. I agree with the article. I only hope Zinchenko is fit enough to start else I would start Tomiyasu at LB. That said Partey must pair with Rice in midfield to negate the effect of Erikson and Cassemirro. Also Nketiah must start ahead of Jesus not only because he is on a good run but also because he scored twice against United last time around.

  12. Enough of experimentation, back to the basics.
    Ramsdale
    White Saliba Gabriel Zinchenko
    Partey Rice
    Saka Odegaard Martinelli
    Nketiah
    We have to start winning convincingly just like last season.

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