Three ways Arsenal could line up vs Man Utd as Mikel Arteta ponders midfield dilemma

Arsenal welcome Manchester United to Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, with the Gunners hoping to inflict a first defeat for Ruben Amorim.

The former Sporting CP manager is yet to lose since taking over from Erik ten Hag, with his side comfortably beating Everton 4-0 on Sunday. Arsenal will be hoping to secure all three points against the Red Devils as they continue to try and gain ground on Liverpool, who are the current Premier League leaders and nine points ahead of the north Londoners.

"It's the best team that we have faced by far, but the test is every game," Man Utd's head coach said of Mikel Arteta's men. If you see the last game [on Sunday], it was really tough. It was a 4-0 but if you see the game like I see it (it was tough).

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim guaranteed to be without four Manchester United players for Arsenal clash

READ MORE: Arsenal press conference: Mikel Arteta on Gabriel fitness, Thomas Partey injury and Amorim

"Everything now is a test – without so many minutes to train, trying to manage the number of minutes for a lot of players who cannot try to imagine one game. You have to know that some players have to be out of the pitch in 60 minutes or 70 minutes, so it’s really hard. In this moment everything is a test. But Arsenal are at a different point of their team. They are in a different moment [to United]."

With Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu definitely out, Arsenal also have concerns over the fitness of Gabriel, Mikel Merino and Thomas Partey. It's possible, then, that Arteta could set his team up a number of ways on Wednesday evening. football.london has a look at three ways the Spaniard could line his Arsenal side up vs Man Utd below.

Partey returns

Partey and Merino both missed Arsenal's 5-2 victory over West Ham on Saturday through injury. Merino missed out due to a knee injury while Partey was absent due to a muscle problem.

This meant Jorginho, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard was the midfield three for the game at West Ham. In truth the Gunners controlled the game but it's not clear if Jorginho can play in midweek after playing at the weekend.

It is possible, though, that Partey recovers from the muscular issue and starts in place of the Italian against Man Utd. The Ghana international has been superb for the Gunners this season and the clash at West Ham was the first time Partey has not been named in a matchday squad all season.

Possible Arsenal XI vs Man Utd with Partey: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Trossard

Gabriel ruled out

While the West Ham game was full of positives, it was a worry to see defender Gabriel taken off at half-time. The Brazilian was also taken off against Sporting CP in the Champions League last week, so there are fears he could miss out against Amorim's men.

"It was related to the previous injury he had in Lisbon," Arteta said when asked for an update on Gabriel after the win at West Ham. "He did great to be a part of that. With that result and the state he is feeling, we decided to take him off."

If Gabriel is unable to play against Man Utd due to injury, Jakub Kiwior is likely to play in his place. The Poland international came on at half-time against the Hammers and put in a solid display alongside William Saliba.

Possible Arsenal XI vs Man Utd without Gabriel: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Calafiori; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Trossard

Trossard and Martinelli dilemma

While Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz are nailed on to start against Man Utd, the left side of attack is not as certain. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have shared the position this season, with both posting decent numbers.

Martinelli has four goals and three assists in 18 appearances, while Trossard has four goals and two assists in 18 appearances. Arteta deployed the Belgian on the left against West Ham, with the 29-year-old grabbing himself one goal and an assist.

It's possible, though, that Martinelli is preferred against the Red Devils as he was rested completely against the Hammers. The Brazilian's ability to run in behind may just give him the edge.

Possible Arsenal XI vs Man Utd with Martinelli: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli