Jurrien Timber starts, Kai Havertz's revenge – Arsenal dream line-up vs Manchester United

Arsenal know that a win at Old Trafford guarantees that the Premier League title race will go into the final game of the league season when they face Everton at the Emirates Stadium. They are relying on a slip-up from Manchester City in their remaining three games against Fulham (A), Tottenham (A) and West Ham (H) for the trophy to find a new home in north London.

Mikel Arteta managed to secure Arsenal’s only win at Old Trafford in the league since 2006 during his tenure but only has the one with several surprising and disappointing results which if repeated again would be disastrous and the most shocking of all. United are in terrible form and Arsenal are overwhelming favourites to beat a depleted opponent.

There are question marks over several members of Erik ten Hag’s squad. On the other side of the fence, however, Arsenal are looking in great shape and there could be scope for a big return for one of their stars too.

Jurrien Timber could be in line to return to the squad for the first time since the opening day of the Premier League season. After suffering a serious knee injury, the Dutchman has missed around nine months as the club have been incredibly cautious with his rehabilitation to ensure the maximum recovery possible.

In a dream scenario, which football.london is looking at here, starting away at Old Trafford to make his return, especially with some midweek questions over Takehiro Tomiyasu’s fitness, would be amazing. The likelihood is he will be eased back in when it happens with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior the other options on offer, but seeing him in the back four would be quite the sight.

David Raya of course continues in goal after making some important stops against Bournemouth at the weekend recovering from his North London Derby nightmare moment. Alongside Timber, having the consistency of Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, fresh from their Player of the Season nominations snub, is the perfect platform.

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Into midfield and the return of Thomas Partey has come at the perfect time as his run of starts continues. Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard were both nominated for the Player of the Season award following their stellar seasons and will both need to be at their peak if Arsenal are to take all three points from Old Trafford.

All of Arsenal’s front three have been in excellent form of late with Bukayo Saka finding a second wind with the breaks in between games having been restored. Kai Havertz has enjoyed a brilliant 2024 so far and will be looking to avenge his error which gifted Man United their goal at the Emirates Stadium earlier in the campaign.

Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard has been the player for the big games. Scoring against Liverpool, FC Porto, Bayern Munich, Chelsea twice and away to Everton and Wolves the Belgian will be a threat that Diogo Dalot cannot afford to lose track of.

Dream Arsenal XI vs Manchester United: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Trossard