Arsenal and Manchester United are set to rekindle their rivalry at the Emirates today. In the last decade, these two teams used to fight for the coveted title, but things have changed of late. This time, they are playing for a place in the Champions League. Both these sides have faltered in the league campaign but have made up for it in the other competitions.
There have been reports which said that Jose Mourinho is all set to name a weakened squad tomorrow after playing a full strength team on Thursday.
Trending
There is an added bonus, however, of continuing their 25-match unbeaten streak in the league as going one more game without a loss will mean a new record by matching the feat of Nottingham Forest which they achieved in 1977/78. Mourinho has also never lost a league game against Arsene Wenger but if the Red Devils decide to rest some of their regulars, Arsenal will be the favourites for tomorrow's blockbuster clash.
A combined XI of both the sides can give us a detailed and an analytical view of which team is in better shape in terms of form and quality.
Goalkeeper: David De Gea (Manchester United)
De Gea gets the nod ahead of Petr Cech to be the custodian in this combined lineup because of his superiority in every aspect. Though Cech was brilliant in Arsenal's loss against Tottenham Hotspur, the Czech republic international has not been among the best keepers this season.
His positioning has been questionable whereas the same cannot be said about David De Gea. With 14 clean sheets and letting in just 25 goals in the Premier League, De Gea is an obvious choice over any goalkeeper in the league.
Right-back: Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)
The makeshift full-back has been one of the most dependent of the faces for Manchester United this season as Valencia has slipped into his new role swiftly. Jose Mourinho termed him "the best right-back you can have" recently which is a huge compliment coming from the Special One.
His improved attacking intent along with his eagerness to defend close to his man means that Valencia keeps out Hector Bellerin from the combined eleven. Bellerin has faltered this season with many claiming that an interest from Barcelona might be the reason behind his loss in concentration and form.
Centre-back: Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
The Frenchman has been a strong presence at the back for Arsenal as his importance can be reflected in the matches that he missed this season with injuries. Arsenal look more assured with him in the side as Koscielny is not only a brilliant centre-back, he is a leader for his men and organises his troops accordingly.
An easy choice to make ahead of Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo.
Centre-back: Eric Bailly (Manchester United)
Bailly has been Manchester United's best defender this season. His fearlessness, aerial prowess and tackling make him a player on whom the team can rest assured. He has been immense for the Red Devils this season and also proved his commitment in the recent weeks by playing through the pain barrier.
With Shkodran Mustafi recuperating from an injury, Eric Bailly is an obvious choice to partner Koscielny at the back.
Left-back: Daley Blind (Manchester United)
Playing as a central defender currently due to an injury crisis, Blind has done terrifically well to help Manchester United maintain their good record at the back. In this lineup, Blind has to play at left-back because of not having better options at this position from both sides.
Luke Shaw is injured while Kieran Gibbs and Nacho Monreal have struggled throughout the season to validate a spot ahead of the Dutchman.
Centre midfield: Ander Herrera (Manchester United)
The Spaniard has been colossal for the Red Devils this season and can be said as the second most important player for Jose Mourinho behind the obvious, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Herrera has become a fan favourite at Old Trafford and has delivered the goods consistently.
In the big games, Herrera has done justice to the faith shown in him by the manager which was evident in the game against Chelsea. The nitpicky midfielder man marked Eden Hazard out of the game and will be employed to do the same against Alexis Sanchez.
Centre midfield: Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
After a slow and an inconsistent start, Paul Labile Pogba is slowly getting used to the demands of the Premier League. His recent performance against Celta Vigo in the Europa League was reminiscent of his Juventus days as the Frenchman completely bossed the midfield cauldron.
A similar type of work rate and execution will be needed against Arsenal as selecting Pogba is an easy choice over the underperforming Arsenal stars like Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka.
Centre midfield: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
This is a surprising inclusion in the midfield but a well-deserved one for Chamberlain. He has been one of the best Arsenal players this season and deserves a place in the lineup. He has been deployed at right back, in the midfield, as a number 10 and also as a winger in this season and "the Ox" has gone on to prove his worth wherever the team needed him to play.
He has started to come off age and has been playing like a matured player. From the midfield, Chamberlain can provide the necessary pace that is needed to give problems for the opposition.
Right wing: Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
Walcott has been among the goal scorers this season and is selected in this lineup on the basis of his output in front of goal. Henrikh Mkhitaryan narrowly misses out on this spot with the Armenian international scoring just four goals in the league this season.
On the other hand, Walcott played as a striker in the early half of the season and managed 14 strikes. It is his best return in a Premier League season in an Arsenal shirt and he deserves to be in this lineup because of his improved finishing.
Left wing: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
The Chilean might be entering his final year as an Arsenal player soon but has again been the club's most impactful player. He is leading the charts for the club with 19 goals and 9 assists.
Sanchez is one of the top players in the league and is hands down better than the Manchester United forwards present in the current first team squad. He tormented the Red Devils last time around at the Emirates and Arsenal will be dreaming of yet another 3-0 rout of Manchester United.
Striker: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
After scoring a sublime David Beckham-esque free-kick in the last game (Beckham scored a similar set piece in his last game for United), Rashford has not given United supporters any reason for missing Zlatan. He has been the difference maker for Jose Mourinho in recent weeks as the teenager has been delivering week in week out.
He stretches defences, beats them at will and finishes calmly. Rashford is proving all the hype around him splendidly and will play as the sole striker in this combined lineup ahead of the likes of Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud.
In total, Manchester United have seven players in this combined eleven while Arsenal have the remaining four. United have a relatively better defence and midfield than their opponents for tomorrow whereas Arsenal make up for their deficiencies in the attack.
