Arsenal vs Manchester United - Combined XI

Manchester United v Arsenal - Premier League
Arsenal have a tough game against Manchester United

This Saturday's evening fixture will see Manchester United and Arsenal face off in one of the biggest fixtures of the season so far at the Emirates.

As Mourinho and Wenger script another chapter in their never-ending personal rivalry, United will look to keep pace with their noisy neighbours, and Arsenal will try and cement their place in the top 4 and cut down the 11 point gap with City.

Both teams come into the game on the back of three wins. The Gunners produced arguably their best performance of the season in their 5-0 demolition of Huddersfield, and the Red Devils have bounced back well from the disappointment against Chelsea by recording wins against Newcastle, Brighton and Watford.

A win is absolutely essential for both teams going into the congested Christmas period. Mourinho's men also face City at Old Trafford next Sunday, and a good performance will go a long way in boosting the squad's confidence ahead of the most testing fixture of the season.

Here, we take a look at a combined XI of players from both squads available for today's match.


GK: David De Gea

Manchester United v Crystal Palace - Premier League
Manchester United v Crystal Palace - Premier League

De Gea has been at his imperial best this season in what has been the Red Devils' best campaign since Sir Alex retired.

The Spanish no. 1 leads the Premier League in terms of clean sheets with 9 so far. Cech is not far behind (7), but it's clear that he's no longer the player he was during his peak at Chelsea.

De Gea will try and keep another clean sheet as he aims to win the first Premier League Golden Glove of his career.

RB: Antonio Valencia

Manchester United v Everton - Premier League
Valencia scored an absolute screamer against Everton earlier this season

Valencia has gone from strength to strength ever since van Gaal transformed him from winger to full back after a string of squad injuries.

He is currently one of the best right backs of the division. His unique combination of strength, defensive awareness, pace and crossing make him a nightmare to deal with, even though he's already 32 years old.

Bellerin has been decent for the Gunners so far, but this season has been far from his personal best in the Premier League.

CB: Laurent Koscielny

Arsenal v Huddersfield Town - Premier League
Arsenal v Huddersfield Town - Premier League

Koscielny has been his usual calm and composed presence at the back for Arsenal so far this season, adapting well to their 3 at the back formation.

At the age of 32, he's still an uncontested starter for the Gunners. If Eric Bailly was fit, he might have a slight edge over the Frenchman, but that takes nothing away from Koscielny's importance for his team.

Rob Holding provided a younger and fresher option for Wenger when he signed for Arsenal last season, but he will still have a lot of work to do if he is to oust Koscielny from the first team.

CB: Marcos Rojo

Watford v Manchester United - Premier League
Rojo returned to the starting XI against Watford in midweek

Rojo's injury kept him out of the squad for a large part of the season, but his return has given Mourinho a very valuable option at the back after injuries to Jones and Bailly.

The Argentine was solid during the matches against Basel and Watford, and showed no signs of his cruciate ligament injury holding him back.

He's almost certain to start against Arsenal today, but it remains to be seen whether Mourinho goes with a four or three man defence.

LB: Sead Kolasinac

Arsenal v Huddersfield Town - Premier League
Kolasinac in action against Huddersfield

Some Arsenal fans might be dreading having to face Ashley Young today, given his stunning performance in *that* 8-2 demolition six years ago, especially considering the incredible form his is in right now.

But Young isn't a true fullback, and Kolasinac is proving to be a bargain following his performances for the Gunners after arriving from Schalke on a free.

Kolasinac has played in 13 of 14 matches so far this season, and already has 4 assists and 1 goal in the league. He's quite solid defensively, and has a bulky physique that enables him to physically dominate his opponents.

CM: Granit Xhaka

Arsenal v Huddersfield Town - Premier League
Xhaka has been uncontested first choice for Arsenal in midfield this season

Nemanja Matic's injury will be a huge blow for Mourinho - the Serbian has started every match this season, and has been in great form so far.

With Fellaini also out for today's match, the Portuguese boss will have to go with Herrera in holding midfield, but Arsenal's Swiss midfield enforcer has been far better than the Spaniard this season.

He's played every match for the Gunners so far, providing steel in midfield and allowing Aaron Ramsey the freedom to venture further forward. He has three assists, an 84% pass accuracy, and a 75% tackle success rate.

CM: Paul Pogba

Swansea City v Manchester United - Premier League
Pogba is back to his best this season

Pogba's long absence after an injury picked up in the Champions League left United lacking creativity and a cutting edge in midfield.

His return has been a welcome boost for Mourinho, after a sudden drop in form that led to away defeats against Huddersfield and Chelsea.

With Matic missing in midfield, Pogba will probably have some defensive responsibilities as well, but Jose will be looking to his star man to make the difference going forward.

CAM: Mesut Ozil

Arsenal v Huddersfield Town - Premier League
Mesut Ozil was magnificent against the Terriers

Henrikh Mkhitaryan started the season with a bang, but has fizzled out after providing 5 assists in the opening 3 matches. Mata has been decent, but 1 assist and 1 goal in 10 matches is below expectations.

While Ozil continues to fiercely divide the Gunners' fanbase, he put in probably one of his best performances as an Arsenal player against Huddersfield, providing 2 assists and a goal in a sublime 4 minute spell.

The German will probably be as important for Wenger as Pogba is for Mourinho, with star forward Lacazette being ruled out with a groin injury picked up against the Terriers.

RW: Anthony Martial

Manchester United v Newcastle United - Premier League
Martial is having a fantastic season so far in terms of goalscoring

While both Martial and Rashford operate primarily on the left, Mkhitaryan's sudden dip in form meant that Mourinho has utilised both his young wingers for the last few matches.

The Frenchman already has 6 goals and 2 assists in the Premier League, and will probably start along with Rashford again today. His good run of form has also earned him a recall to the France national squad.

With many critics and fans still believing that he's yet to hit his peak this season, Martial will look to cement a place in the starting XI today with one eye on next year's World Cup.

LW: Alexis Sanchez

Arsenal v Everton - Premier League
Wenger will be hoping his star man makes the difference against a strong United side

Sanchez has only 4 goals and 2 assists so far, but he did score a 92nd-minute winner against Burnley and then again in the 5-0 win in midweek.

He's begun to hit top form at the perfect time for Wenger, who will look to his star duo of Alexis and Ozil to provide inspiration in the attack in the absence of Lacazette.

With United missing their first choice pairing of Jones and Bailly in defence, Sanchez will look forward to exploit the vulnerability of Lindelof and Smalling today.

ST: Romelu Lukaku

Swansea City v Manchester United - Premier League
Lukaku will look to get back among the goals against the Gunners

Lacazette would probably have made the cut ahead of the Belgian if it hadn't been for his groin injury. The French striker might not be hogging all the headlines, but 7 goals and 1 assist in not a bad return in 14 matches.

Lukaku has 8 goals so far, but after scoring in his first 7 matches, he's come under scrutiny following a long goalscoring drought.

He was among the goals in United's 4-1 win over Newcastle last month but again failed to find the net against Brighton and Watford. But he does bring other qualities to the pitch - he also has 4 assists.

Today would be a perfect day for both the Belgian and Mourinho to get back to what he does best - scoring goals.

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Edited by Amit Mishra