Gabriel decision made as £26m man drops out: Arsenal predicted XI v Manchester United

Arsenal will lock horns with Manchester United in Wednesday night’s Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.

For years, Arsenal v Manchester United was the biggest fixture in the English calendar, and both teams are now on the up once again.

The Gunners are now Premier League title contenders once again, while the Red Devils have been bright under Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ruben Amorim.

Arsenal will be eager to close the nine-point gap on Liverpool, while Man United will look to climb up the table and get back into the European places.

TBR Football looks at who Gunners boss Mikel Arteta could name in his starting XI for the game against the Old Trafford side.

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Arsenal team news v Manchester United

Arsenal were without Mikel Merino, Thomas Partey and Myles Lewis-Skelly for Saturday’s win at West Ham, while Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off at half-time.

Mikel Arteta remained tight-lipped regarding team news during his pre-match presser on Tuesday.

“We’re gonna have a meeting this afternoon,” he told reporters. “We have done a training session.

“We monitored and kept some players away from certain activities. After that meeting I will decide which ones are fit and available and who will start. They all want to play.”

Defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain unavailable for Arsenal.

As for Man United, Amorim suggested Leny Yoro could return to the squad after recovering from injury.

Bruno Fernandes is fit to play, but Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof have been missing of late and are doubts.

Gabriel Magalhaes tipped to start for Arsenal as Leandro Trossard drops out against Manchester United

Arteta confirmed a few days ago that the Gabriel substitution was not concussion-related but a result of the injury he carried into the West Ham match, picked up in the 5-1 win over Sporting CP.

As a result, Arsenal’s back line could remain unchanged from the 5-2 win over the Hammers.

This means David Raya in goal and a back four of Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori.

Assuming Merino and Partey remain unavailable, this would mean Jorginho is likely to continue in the Arsenal midfield alongside Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.

As for the Arsenal front line, Leandro Trossard could make way, with Gabriel Martinelli replacing the £26million man.

Arsenal predicted starting XI v Man United (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli

Arsenal are scheduled to kick off against Man United at 8:15pm GMT in Wednesday night’s Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.