Manchester United host Arsenal in the pick of this weekend’s Premier League action at Old Trafford.
After midweek trips to San Sebastian and Eindhoven respectively, the two old rivals meet again with a staggering 21 points separating them.
Arsenal’s recent wobbles have seen their hopes of challenging Liverpool for the title fade, losing to West Ham United at home before their goalless draw with Nottingham Forest last time.
A lack of firepower with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz all sidelined has been their undoing but the Gunners went some way in addressing those concerns by putting seven past PSV on Tuesday.
Saka and Martinelli are not expected to feature until after the international break with the home game against Fulham on 1 April a very likely return date.
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Until then, Mikel Arteta will likely have to continue with Mikel Merino leading the line flanked either side by Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard with all three on the score sheet midweek.
Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain sidelined until the end of the season but Arteta has an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from.
United have goal scoring problems of their own with Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee and Alejandro Garnacho mustering just one goal between them in 2025.
Chido Obi is pushing hard to force his way into the starting XI, coming off the bench in United’s last three matches and almost scoring an extra-time winner in the FA Cup defeat to Fulham.
The 17-year-old left Arsenal last summer in pursuit of a clearer path to first-team football and it would be some story to see him leading the line against his former club this weekend.
Having not been eligible for Thursday’s Europa League clash against Real Sociedad, Obi will be fresh for the visit of the Gunners, whether it’s from the start or off the bench again.
Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte both missed the trip to San Sebastian but Ruben Amorim hopes to have the pair available on Sunday.
Kobbie Mainoo is not expected to be available until after the March international break with Amad Diallo and Lisandro Martinez out for the rest of the season with Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Jonny Evans still ruled out.
Injuries at the back could also open up the opportunity for Ayden Heaven to get some minutes against the side he left in January, turning in a bright cameo off the bench against Fulham.
Patrick Dorgu meanwhile will be suspended as a result of the red card he picked up against Ipswich, able to return to domestic action against Nottingham Forest on 1 April.
Onana, de Ligt, Maguire, Yoro, Mazraoui, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dalot, Zirkzee, Garnacho, Hojlund
Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard,Partey, Rice, Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard
Man Utd vs Arsenal kicks off at 4:30pm on Sunday 9 March.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with a live stream available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV.
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