Nwaneri starts, Martinelli call and Rice switch - Three Arsenal changes for Man Utd

Arsenal have perhaps their most challenging match of December at its start as they host Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United side at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday. It is a chance to make a real statement that the club’s renewed positive form is here to stay.

It has come about much to do with the return of key players to full fitness like Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori. Mikel Arteta has seen his side in response score 13 goals in three games and not without making changes or having to deal with further fitness issues.

Against West Ham both Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino were missing due to problems suffered in training. Myles Lewis-Skelly was also lost due to an injury Arteta revealed post-match.

READ MORE: Arsenal ace suffers huge injury setback before Man Utd as Mikel Arteta outcast set for return

READ MORE: Chido Obi-Martin sent clear Arsenal message as premature Man Utd decision backfires

Yet there are changes that can be made and that Arteta might want to make as he continues to navigate the hectic schedule and manage the minutes of players who are still dealing with problems. With that in mind, football.london runs through the potential changes that could be made to the team for the Wednesday evening fixture.

David Raya, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba and even Gabriel Magalhaes who himself suffered a reoccurrence of the problem that saw him withdrawn in Lisbon but not thought to be too serious start. Their importance is unequivocal but at left-back Riccardo Calafiori’s own fitness after returning from a considerable knee problem does promote reason for a swap perhaps for Oleksandr Zinchenko.

In midfield, Partey and Merino’s attendance cannot be guaranteed and Jorginho while starting the last two Premier League games has still not played a considerable amount of football. It might be that Declan Rice moves into the deeper midfield role and Martin Odegaard is paired with Ethan Nwaneri in what is a very exciting midfield trio.

Up top, Leandro Trossard was brought in for Gabriel Martinelli who was fully rested. Asking Arteta after the game about the gift of being able to ready the Brazilian for midweek, he was quick to point out that rather than rest it was showcasing the need for competition of places.

“And scoring, the fact that they know everybody is on their toes, everybody has to elevate their level and earn the right to play and when you have the chance, it’s the moment to talk and that’s what they’re doing.”

Martinelli does however still come in. He starts alongside the immovable Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz who will both be looking to score once again this week.

Arsenal changed XI vs Man Utd: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Odegaard, Nwaneri, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli