Selection decisions for Arteta as Man Utd visit

Morning.

It’s a big one today as Man Utd come to town for our first home game since the 0-0 draw with Liverpool on January 8th. Man City won yesterday, and today’s visitors will have been boosted by their own big win in the derby last weekend, so there’s plenty for us to contend with later on.

We have heard that both Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie are back in training, but as yet we’re not sure if they’re ready to start. I suspect if either of them are, they’ll be in the side, and if not, it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see Jurrien Timber get the nod at left-back ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly. United are quick and dangerous down their right, and I suspect that’s an area the manager would like maximum defensive security.

The midfield basically picks itself with Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, and this is an area I want to see us really dominate today. I don’t think the captain’s form this season has been anywhere near as bad as some might suggest, but today would be a good day for him to produce a real performance, and we’re most likely to get that if he plays higher up the pitch. Let the other two do the dropping between the centre-halves, and let’s see if we can get Odegaard further forward to find the craft in the final third. If it is Timber at left-back, the old triangle of Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Ben White is more than capable of causing United problems.

I think it’ll be Leandro Trossard and Saka on the wings, and then the decision is about who starts up front. If you’re making the case for Viktor Gyokeres, perhaps the idea that Gabriel Jesus is more of a potential game-changer probably has some merit. If the blunt-force instrument (for want of a better phrase) doesn’t work, the Brazilian offers greater creativity and plays the role in a different way which might well be useful if you have to shift the dynamic of the game.

For me though, after scoring twice in midweek, and putting in an all-round performance that was very, very good, I’d be inclined to start Jesus today. In a game where we want to exert control, and make the most of possession in the United half, he gives us a bit more in that regard than Gyokeres. And if if doesn’t work, you have the more direct approach of the Swedish international to unleash on tired legs in the final stages. The manager might also have Kai Havertz at his disposal for a short cameo, depending on how fit he’s deemed to be, so there are options.

I also wonder if the United approach in this game might suit us. Liverpool was a game of two halves, but in the first they basically came and sat deep, which is so difficult to break down. After a big win the derby, and with a sense that these ex-player interim coaches want to do things to please Alex Ferguson, I wonder if we’ll see a more expansive United side than we would have under the previous manager. I don’t think they’ll just come and open up, but I have a feeling they’ll be more inclined to have a go, which will both test our defensive mettle, but also give us space to play in which we need to then take advantage of. It could feel more like a Champions League game than a typical Premier League encounter.

Mikel Arteta was asked beforehand if this title was Arsenal’s to lose, a rather loaded question in January but that’s how sections of the media operate. He replied:

I don’t think nobody has probably more motivation, more hunger, more desire for us to go all the way and win it. But we know that the only way to do it is focusing and being very present in the moment and doing everything that we have to do today to be better than tomorrow. And that’s it. That’s the only thing that we can control, and the rest is just the things that don’t add any value to us, and they can take the focus to the wrong place.

That focus needs to be present in today’s performance. United aren’t what they used to be, but this is a big game against big opposition, and in league terms we haven’t been completely convincing in these fixtures bar Aston Villa at home. Today would be a very good day to reiterate our title credentials after two successive 0-0 draws. I’d love to see a convincing performance and a convincing win, but I’ll take three points however they arrive because ultimately that’s the most important thing. We’re back at home, at last, so let’s show what we’re all about it.

Right, I’ll leave it there for now. We have a preview podcast over on Patreon if you need something to listen to, and as ever we’ll have live blog coverage and all the post-game stuff on Arseblog News later.

Come on you reds!