Arsenal will turn attention to their Premier League game against Manchester United on Sunday after finding out which teams they will be playing on their return to the Champions League yesterday.
The Gunners host the Red Devils in their fourth league game of the 2023-24 campaign and will be eager to return to winning ways after Fulham denied them all three points late in their game last Saturday.
However, Man United could prove to be their toughest test so far this term, and both teams will look to get the better of the other when they renew hostilities at Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal and Man United boast some of the best players in the Premier League right now, and here is a look at the best available XI across both squads.
Goalkeeper – Aaron Ramsdale
The England international goalkeeper has kept one clean sheet in three league games this term and conceded thrice.
He has summer loan signing David Raya breathing down his neck and will be keen to put in a five-star performance against the Red Devils in order to retain his starting berth for the next game.
Ramsdale has arguably been better than his opposite number Andre Onana this term and will be looking forward to proving that on Sunday.
Right-back – Aaron Wan-Bissaka
The Manchester United defender has continued from where he stopped last season and is one of the few full-backs in the Premier League who can actually defend.
Wan-Bissaka has also weighed in with an assist in three games this term and he pips the makeshift Thomas Partey to this spot.
Centre-back – William Saliba
The French centre-back has already equalled his number of league assists (one) last term this season and continues to be a bedrock at the back for Arsenal.
Centre-back – Ben White
Man United star Raphael Varane was replaced at half-time in the win over Nottingham Forest as a precautionary measure and has now been ruled out for some weeks, so his Arsenal counterpart gets this spot.
While he missed out on the latest England squad, the former Brighton star has been one of the best defenders in the league in recent seasons, returning to central defence after excelling at right-back last term.
Left-back – Takehiro Tomiyasu
Oleksandr Zinchenko is yet to start a league game this term, coming off the bench in the last two matches, and it remains to be seen whether Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will start the Ukrainian in the next game or if Tomiyasu will return to the starting XI having served his one-match suspension for being harshly sent off against Crystal Palace.
Midfield – Martin Odegaard
The Arsenal captain has been his brilliant self this term, with his penalty handing his side all three points in the narrow 1-0 win at Palace.
Midfield – Declan Rice
The England international midfielder has been the best player in his position so far this term, and the battle between him and Casemiro (who has struggled this term despite finding the back of the net against Forest) on Sunday will be intriguing to watch.
Midfield – Bruno Fernandes
The Man United captain is the only midfielder capable of forcing his way into the starting XI at Arsenal, and the Portuguese has a goal and an assist to his name so far this term.
The Gunners will need to find a way to limit his attacking influence on Sunday.
Right-wing – Bukayo Saka
The England international forward has continued from where he stopped last term and has bagged two goals so far.
Centre forward – Marcus Rashford
The Man United forward is yet to open his goalscoring account for the season, but he has provided an assist and will be desperate to get on the score sheet at Emirates.
Left-wing – Gabriel Martinelli
The Brazilian has assisted once this term and will be looking to cause the Red Devils’ defence all sorts of problems.
