Should Kai Havertz be dropped, will Harry Maguire replace Raphael Varane – and does Marcus Rashford start up front again? The big decisions facing Mikel Arteta and Erik Ten Hag ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Man United today
Manchester United travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal this weekend, with the Gunners looking to bounce back from a disappointing draw to ten-man Fulham.
Joao Palhinha’s late equaliser saw the Cottagers snatch a point against Mikel Arteta’s side.
Erik ten Hag’s men, on the other hand, pulled off an impressive comeback at home to Nottingham Forest, who like Fulham were also reduced to ten men.
A win for the visitors on Sunday would see the Red Devils leapfrog Arsenal in the table and hand the hosts their first defeat of the season.
Both managers will have several key decisions to make from the tactical set-up of their sides to the role of players returning from injury.
Here, Mail Sport dive into the big decisions for Arteta and Ten Hag ahead of Sunday’s clash.
So far this season, Arteta has opted to play defensive midfielder Thomas Partey at right-back from the start as the Ghana international inverts into midfield when the Gunners are in possession.
This has seen central defender Gabriel Magalhães snubbed despite playing in every Premier League match for Arsenal last season.
But now Arteta will be without his key man Partey and have to parachute Magalhaes straight back into the cauldron of a big game.
That’s because the Ghanaian has reportedly picked up a hamstring injury that could keep him out for weeks.
With Marcus Rashford most likely featuring on the left for Man United on Sunday, whoever starts on the right will have his work cut out and will most likely have to stick to the right of the pitch to stop the forward.
Arteta could revert to his more experienced options in that role as it would be no surprise to see Gabriel make his first start of the season and push White back onto the right of defence, in what will be a massive test on his first start of the season without Partey there to be depended on.
Should Havertz be dropped?
Partey’s injury might be a lifeline for Kai Havertz as there were loud calls for him to be moved back into midfield.
He’s been one of the Gunners’ stand-out performers since his move from Atletico Madrid and would have been the perfect player to combat United’s midfield.
With captain Odegaard and £100million-man Rice most likely being undroppable, Havertz could have been the one to miss out.
The German looked off the pace against Fulham and hasn’t adjusted well to his new role in Arteta’s system.
So is his place still safe? Arteta may still fancy changing it up and giving Jorginho a look, allowing Havertz to take the pressure off and adapt to his demands more slowly.
It will be fascinating to see how long he keeps the faith with the German in midfield.
Who plays in attack?
Gabriel Jesus is back from injury but Eddie Nketiah has been in fine form.
The forward has earned himself a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad and will be unlucky to miss out this weekend.
Havertz could also play as the nine against United, as the tallest option of the three, and could provide some aerial threat to the Red Devils.
However, with Jesus back from injury, he is Arsenal’s most dangerous number nine without a doubt.
Should Maguire start?
With it confirmed that Raphael Varane will miss the trip to Arsenal after suffering an injury, Ten Hag must choose his replacement.
Victor Lindelof came off the bench for the France international against Nottingham Forest, and could be trusted again.
With news that Maguire has made the England squad despite not featuring regularly for Man United, he could be handed a start in the huge clash on Sunday.
It remains to be seen as to whether Ten Hag will bring the defender into the line-up, with Maguire remaining a Man United player despite strong links to West Ham all summer.
Where will Rashford play?
Marcus Rashford has been deployed in a number of positions already this season.
We are only three games in but the forward has played up front and on the left wing frequently this season.
Summer signing Rasmus Hojlund is unlikely to start, and while he is the striker for the future, Rashford has been filling in while he’s been unavailable.
Against Forest, Anthony Martial led the line which allowed Rashford to return to his natural position on the left.
With Arsenal looking shaky at the back, it could be the perfect opportunity for Rashford to get his season up and running, taking on the full-backs at the Emirates on Sunday.
Left-back decisions
With Sergio Reguilon joining Man United on loan on deadline day, it’s unlikely that he will be trusted to start against Tottenham’s rivals.
The Spurs defender knows what it means to take on the Gunners, but the game may come too early.
Luke Shaw’s injury meant that Ten Hag had to enter the market for a full-back, and a deal with Chelsea for Marc Cucurella broke down.
Reguilon is the man until Shaw returns, but it looks like Diogo Dalot will play on the left this Sunday.
He has proven that he can do a job there, but facing Bukayo Saka is one of the hardest jobs in football.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka will most likely feature on the right against Gabriel Martinelli, with the battle down the wings the key.
