There are big weeks, and then there are big weeks. For Arsenal, this is very much one of the latter when it comes to deciding how successful their season will be.
Mikel Arteta knows this reality well after five years in charge. Following his side’s 2-0 defeat on Tuesday in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United, he has the small task of picking the XI to face Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup.
Arsenal are the most successful side in the competition’s history with 14 titles. The last triumph came in Arteta’s first season in 2020 and he has his heart set on making it back to Wembley again. Arsenal, however, face the next most storied club in the competition and a head coach in Ruben Amorim who will be looking to repeat Arteta’s trick of winning first-season silverware.
The Portuguese coach is still learning about his players on the job but they significantly improved in their 2-2 draw with Liverpool to end a run of four successive defeats.
Arsenal will hope to get back to winning ways after losing to Newcastle (Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Arsenal — who will be playing in their special all-white kit — are coming off the back of a Premier League draw away to Brighton and a bruising defeat at home by Newcastle with fierce debate as to who plays at left-back and on the left of midfield. Oh, and how they replace that guy called, erm, Bukayo Saka…
Here, The Athletic’s Arsenal writers donned their Arteta thinking caps and picked their favoured XIs for Sunday’s big game. Who do you agree with? Let us know in the comments below…
Art de Roché
My line-up comes from what I feel was Arsenal’s best performance without Bukayo Saka: the 5-1 win at Crystal Palace on December 21. Arsenal were already 2-1 up when Saka went off injured but the blueprint of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz (pictured top) starting together feels like one that will help their attack.
Both provided a box presence at Selhurst Park, which led to Havertz’s goal after a Jesus header. A week later against Ipswich Town, Havertz was well positioned to tap in a Leandro Trossard cross, but Jesus was also making a run into the six-yard box.
The pair were asking questions of defences that Arsenal do not do enough. Especially after the Carabao Cup defeat by Newcastle United, having multiple ways to open defences in open play is essential. Although Manchester United will be confident after their result at Liverpool, it feels like Arsenal should be taking the game to the visitors.
That being said, Arteta will be well aware of the dangers Manchester United carry, especially with how their trip to Anfield played out. As a result, I wouldn’t be surprised if he named the same midfield as he did against Newcastle (Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice), but that’s not what I would do.
The only other dilemma comes at left-back. Myles Lewis-Skelly has proven himself to be a reliable option both defensively and in possession, so I would opt for him. Especially with Amad in mind.
Jordan Campbell
At left-back, I’ve gone with Lewis-Skelly as he has earned his place. Up against Amad, his low centre of gravity and defensive concentration will be well-suited. To be saying that about a 17-year-old — especially when Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko are in the squad — speaks volumes. His driving runs from an inverted position could also help expose the space either side of the United’s midfield afforded by Amorim’s shape.
I would pick Rice at No 6 because I don’t think Arsenal are maximising his best attributes at left No 8. He can perform there but Arsenal can be more aggressive when they have him patrolling the space in front of the defence, which Partey struggled to do against Newcastle. It also allows for Arsenal another player who can attack the box and Mikel Merino, who has yet to really get going since joining the club, could be dangerous getting on the end of crosses.
Arsenal need to find a way to reproduce the fluidity on the right flank that has defined their success over the last three years — this time without Saka. It’s impossible to replicate what he does but they need more small space players to work the ball into the box.
Jesus has played off the right in big games before and Saka’s goal against Nottingham Forest earlier in the season highlighted how his jinking dribbling style and quick combinations can be difficult to handle. It also fits two strikers into the front line, maintains Gabriel Martinelli as Arsenal’s outlet and improves the team on the counter.
James McNicholas
There was a time when I looked at this as a fixture where Arsenal could perhaps afford to give one or two key players a rest. Off the back of the defeat by Newcastle, that seems unthinkable. Arteta will have to go strong — and this would be my preferred line-up.
So far Martinelli, Ethan Nwaneri and Trossard have all had a go at replacing the injured Saka on the right-wing, with varied results. This time I’d give the nod to Jesus. Hopefully, including both Jesus and Havertz in the front three would give Arsenal a bit of attacking edge.
I’ve picked Partey, Rice and Odegaard in midfield. I think this is the area of the pitch where Arsenal have the chance to dominate, and this is the strongest trio they have at their disposal.
At the back, I’ve gone for the experience (and rested legs) of Calafiori at left-back. The rest picks itself!
(Top photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
