Arsenal will travel to Old Trafford on Wednesday to face Manchester United in the midweek Premier League clash.
While Arsenal defeated their North London rivals, Tottenham 4-2 on Sunday, Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United side drew 2-2 with Southampton.
Ahead of the top four encounter against United, Arsenal manager, Unai Emery will have some key selection decisions to make.
Arsenal are unbeaten in 19 matches across all competitions, and ex-German international, Mesut Ozil is a doubt for the clash against United.
The German playmaker was dropped to the bench against Bournemouth, then missed the north London derby after suffering a back spasm in training and will be assessed closer to kick-off.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Monday, Emery said, “I said yesterday [Sunday] he’s had backache since last Tuesday.
“He couldn’t play in Kiev or yesterday. At the moment, I don’t know if he can play in Manchester.
“Today he was working alone, I don’t know if he’s okay for Wednesday.”
Emery initially set his side up in a 3-4-2-1 formation but switched things around at half-time, introducing Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette.
The Spaniard is likely to continue with two strikers up front against United, particularly with Jose Mourinho’s side suffering an injury crisis in defence.
Grant Xhaka is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season, so Matteo Guendouzi is expected to replace the Swiss international alongside Lucas Torreira.
Alex Iwobi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are both expected to drop out of the starting XI while Shkodran Mustafi, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Rob Holding should continue as a back three.
Nacho Monreal is still doubtful due to a hamstring problem which has been hampering the Spaniard since early October.
Sead Kolasinac should continue at left wing-back in Monreal’s absence while Laurent Koscielny will be assessed closer to the match but is unlikely to be risked as he continues his recovery from an Achilles injury.
Arsenal’s potential XI: (3-4–1-2): Leno; Mustafi, Sokratis, Holding; Bellerin, Torreira, Guendouzi, Kolasinac; Ramsey; Lacazette, Aubameyang.
For Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese faces a huge selection crisis ahead of the clash as he is dealing with a host of injuries and absences.
The Red Devils are 16 points behind table-toppers Manchester City and face an uphill task to catch their rivals with as many as 12 first-team players currently doubtful.
Mourinho was forced play a central midfielders Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay in a back five last time out, with regular centre-backs Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof all injured
Defender Lindelof is ruled out of facing the Gunners while Phil Jones is also doubtful after picking up an injury against Saints.
United will hope at least one of Bailly and Smalling is fit in time to face the Gunners.
Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian are also doubtful having missed the draw with Southampton.
Right-back Ashley Young is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season while Luke Shaw was forced off with an injury during the second half against Southampton.
With so many defenders sidelined, Argentine defender, Diogo Dalot could be set for his first Premier League start while Marcos Rojo may also be called into action.
Manchester United potential lineup against Arsenal: (4-3-3): De Gea; Dalot, Smalling, Rojo, Darmian; Matic, Herrera, Fellaini; Lingard, Martial, Rashford.
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