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[Image] Bellerin & Pepe start: The Arsenal line-up Arteta should pick vs Man Utd

By on December 30, 2019

nicolas pepe arsenal

Arsenal simply have to get back to winning ways when we entertain Man Utd at the Emirates on New Years Day. Here is the line-up I’d like Mikel Arteta to select…

Bellerin fit?

Hector Bellerin has been struggling to shake-off a niggling hamstring injury in recent weeks but he’s been back in training so hopefully he’ll be ready to return on Wednesday night. Ainsley Maitland-Niles did a solid job against Chelsea at right-back but Bellerin’s return would be a huge boost.

With Sead Kolasinac and Kieran Tierney still injured Bukayo Saka should continue at left-back as he’s done a fine job filling-in. If Rob Holding fails to prove his fitness then we’ll have to go with Sokratis and David Luiz in defence as Calum Chambers picked up a knee injury against Chelsea and Shkodran Mustafi proved yet again that he’s a total liability.

Xhaka axed

Granit Xhaka missed the defeat to Chelsea with Arsenal saying the midfielder was ‘ill’. However, Xhaka is being strongly linked with a move to Germany this winter and it looks like he’s close to leaving so I’d leave him out against Man Utd.

Lucas Torreira has looked a completely different player in recent games after being deployed in his proper position so he has to keep his place while I’d go with Matteo Guendouzi ahead of Joe Willock. Dani Ceballos could return to the squad after recovering from a hamstring injury but a place on the bench is the best he can hope for as he’s lacking match fitness.

Mesut Ozil was excellent in the first half against Chelsea and we’re starting to see the best of him again under Arteta. Hopefully Mesut can put-in another impressive performance against United as we desperately need to win this game.

Alexandre Lacazette’s poor form continued at the weekend and I think we need to mix things up in attack. If Gabriel Martinelli passes a late fitness test after missing the last two games with a knock then I’d start him on the left with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang through the middle.

Reiss Nelson did alright against Chelsea but his final ball is lacking. Therefore, I think it’s time to unleash Arsenal’s record signing with Nicolas Pepe starting against Manchester United.

Here is how I hope Arsenal line-up:

football formations