Arsenal face Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday. The Gunners comfortably annihilated United when they met earlier this season but the Manchester side has mostly got the upper hand as far as this tie is concerned.
With Manchester United putting in disappointing performances, it came as a little surprise that the combined eleven went 8-3 in Arsenal’s favor (Note: Only available players qualify)
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech (Arsenal)
David de Gea is arguably one of the finest goalkeepers in world football right now and has single handedly won his team a bevy of points. However, against him is another world-class goalkeeper in the form of Petr Cech who has also won his team a host of points, like John Terry promised. His 85 saves are 27 more than the Spaniard and Wenger’s only summer signing could prove to be the difference if the side manage their first title in over a decade.
Right-Back: Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)
The young Spaniard has developed incredibly well and has become the undisputed first choice in his position at the Emirates in a short span of time. With Matteo Darmian out injured, Bellerin walks into the combined eleven but even if the Italian was available, juxtaposing the duo’s form this season, Bellerin would have been the preferred choice for our eleven.
Centre-Back: Chris Smalling (Manchester United)
Smalling has played his part in more clean sheets this season than any other centre-back in the league and has been one of the few success stories for van Gaal in a forgettable season overall for the club.
Centre-Back: Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
Partnering the Englishman would be Arsenal’s Koscielny. The Frenchman has been consistently been solid for the Gunners and has once again proved why he has been regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the league for a while now.
Left-Back: Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
With Luke Shaw out and Marcos Rojo returning only now, once again, it’s a case of no competition for Monreal. To be fair to him, has done exceedingly well for himself this season proving to be one of the most reliable full-backs in the Premier League. He has also successfully displaced Kieran Gibbs as the club’s first choice left-back
Def. midfielder: Morgan Schneiderlin (Manchester United)
A little bit controversial, but we picked Manchester United’s Morgan Schneiderlin over compatriot Coquelin, who has been brilliant for the Gunners even since he was instilled in the starting eleven by Wenger last season. The French international has been in and out of the side and it is no coincidence that United look much better with him in the team as he can keep things ticking, help in the transition from defence to attack and most importantly shield the defence adequately.
Central Midfielder: Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
Partnering Schneiderlin in the midfield is England international Aaron Ramsey who has taken a number of midfield positions for Arsene Wenger this season in the prolonged absence of Santi Cazorla. He has scored four times and assisted thrice in the league. No United midfielder has had the same kind of output.
Left Winger: Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)
The only other United player in the line-up is a surprise inclusion in the form of young Lingard. He has directly contributed to six goals in his last nine appearances in all competitions and has been another success story of this otherwise unimpressive season. With Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain not impressing vastly, Lingard was our choice in the eleven.
Attacking Midfielder: Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
With an eye dropping 17 assists this season, Ozil’s inclusion in the eleven doesn’t come as a shock. Juan Mata’s form has been incredibly patchy this season. Ozil did very well against United in the previous game and would have to have the same kind of impact once again
Right Winger: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
The Chilean is one of the most dangerous players in the league but hasn’t made a significant contribution since returning from injury a few weeks back. However, with Memphis Depay faltering this season, Sanchez doesn’t face any worthy competition for inclusion in a combined eleven
Striker: Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
With seven goals and three assists, Anthony Martial has lived up to the hype that surrounded him when United secured his services. The 20-year-old is a doubt for the game anyway but we anyway had Olivier Giroud leading our combined eleven. With 12 goals and 4 assists, in the league, the France international has done well for himself after all the doubt surrounding his abilities to adequately lead Arsenal earlier this season.
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