Arsenal Confirmed Lineup vs Manchester United: Martinelli in for Saka; Odegaard on the bench

Gabriel Martinelli replaces Bukayo Saka while Martin Odegaard makes the bench as Arsenal prepare to welcome Manchester United to the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta has made just one change to the side that started in the 3-1 win over Southampton earlier this week, as Arsenal get set to play hosts to Manchester United at the Emirates. There are no shuffles in goal, where Bernd Leno is the undisputed first-choice for the Gunners.

The defensive line remains unchanged as well. That means that Rob Holding and David Luiz form the central defensive partnership for Arsenal against Manchester United while Hector Bellerin and Cedric Soares will be the two full-backs, with Kieran Tierney not fit enough to make the squad.

? Today’s team news…

?? @ThomasPartey22 in midfield
??????? @EmileSmithRowe starts
?? @g_martinelli01 returns

#️⃣ #ARSMUN

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 30, 2021

Up ahead in midfield, the good news comes in the form of Thomas Partey’s availability. Partey starts in the double pivot once again, with Granit Xhaka being his partner. In another piece of good news, Emile Smith Rowe is fit to start as well and will be reprising the no. 10 role. Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard has made the bench and will be due to make his Arsenal debut later in the game.

However, Arsenal have suffered a huge blow, with Bukayo Saka nowhere to be seen in the matchday squad. In his stead, Gabriel Martinelli starts, with Nicolas Pepe moving to the right wing. Finally, Alexandre Lacazette leads the line for Arsenal against Manchester United, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang unavailable once again.

Arsenal Starting Lineup: Leno, Bellerin, Holding, David Luiz, Cedric, Partey, Xhaka, Pepe, Smith Rowe, Martinelli, Lacazette