Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi will make their first competitive appearances for Arsenal when they take on Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Arsenal will aim to begin the challenge for the 2025/26 Premier League title when they lock horns with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday evening. Mikel Arteta has received a positive update on the team news front ahead of his side’s season-opening fixture.
Leandro Trossard has been struggling with a groin problem after picking up the injury during Arsenal’s pre-season outing against Tottenham Hotspur. The Belgian international faces a late fitness test to determine his availability.
However, Gabriel Jesus remains on the sidelines, with the versatile Brazilian attacker recovering from a long-term knee injury. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Arteta provided a fitness update on Trossard, Viktor Gyokeres, and Martin Zubimendi.
The Arsenal manager said, “I think he’s [Trossard] much better. I think he will be able to train again tomorrow and if that’s the case, he will be fit. [Viktor’s] getting better and better every day. He’s normally a really fit player. It’s true that he hasn’t trained so much with us.”
“He had those two moments in games when he’s participated and the feeling was very good. So let’s see what we do on Sunday. [On Zubi], he had a great integration. As everybody can see this immediately, a very big impact on the team. I’m really happy and he will be fit.”
David Raya is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Arsenal lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Manchester United on Sunday. The backline should feature Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Riccardo Calafiori, with the latter getting the nod over Myles Lewis-Skelly.
As for the midfield unit, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice will pair up in the double pivot, allowing Martin Odegaard to reprise the no. 10 role with more freedom. Finally, Viktor Gyokeres should lead the line for the away side against Manchester United, with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka being the two wide attackers.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Gyokeres
