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Bukayo Saka fit to start: My Arsenal line-up vs Newcastle

By mac14 on December 1, 2021

Arsenal take on Manchester United at Old Trafford on Thursday night. This is the line-up I’d like to see Mikel Arteta select for the match…

Aaron Ramsdale continued his excellent form with another top save during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Newcastle United at the weekend and he should be a definite starter tomorrow night.

Gabriel is developing into a superb centre-back and is forming an excellent understanding with Ben White so they’ll continue together at the back. Rob Holding will be the back-up from the bench.

Takehiro Tomiyasu should keep his place at right-back but I’d like to see a change at left-back. Nuno Tavares recovered from his Anfield disaster with an impressive display against Newcastle. It was the right call by Arteta to stick with him at the weekend but Tavares is still very raw and this is a huge game, so I’d recall Kieran Tierney to start against Man Utd. The 24-year-old is still our best left-back and that shouldn’t be forgotten.

In midfield, Arsenal are still without Granit Xhaka due to an ankle injury so Albert Sambi Lokonga should continue alongside Thomas Partey in the middle of the park. Ainsley Maitland-Niles will be the back-up among the subs.

Saka starts

Martin Odegaard is still not back to his best but we shouldn’t overlook how hard he works for the team and that will be important against Manchester United. So I’d stick with the Norwegian meaning Alexandre Lacazette remains on the bench.

Bukayo Saka is a doubt due to a muscle injury that forced him off against Newcastle at the weekend. The issue is only believed to be minor and Arteta will make a late decision over his involvement but Saka is tipped to be fit to start against Man Utd.

Obviously if Saka misses out then Gabriel Martinelli should start after his superb goal at the weekend. Emile Smith Rowe should keep his place in the Arsenal attack while I’d stick with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up front despite his horror miss against Newcastle.

Here is the side I hope we see: