Chris Sutton selects Arsenal’s Rob Holding ahead of senior duo in combined XI with Manchester United

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Arsenal will take on Manchester United in a Premier League clash at Old Trafford tonight.

Chris Sutton has selected defender Rob Holding ahead of David Luiz and Sokratis in his combined Arsenal and Manchester United XI.

The BBC Sport pundit mocked the senior duo by claiming that he’s not selecting them because he likes his defenders to ‘stop goals’ not ‘gift them’.

The former Premier League striker also decided to select United goalkeeper David de Gea over his counterpart, Bernd Leno, because he thinks the Spaniard is a ‘better all-round’ player right now.

Unai Emery’s side will travel to Old Trafford on Monday night to rewind the clocks back and take part in what used to be one of the fixtures in England’s top-flight. Whilst, it has lost that edge now, there will still be a lot to play for this evening.

Ahead of that match, Sutton named his starting XI, as he decided to name Harry Maguire alongside Holding, who is yet to play in the Premier League this season, as he explained why certain defenders don’t make the cut.

“For the rest of you wondering why I haven’t named Sokratis or David Luiz, it’s because I’d like my defence to stop goals, not gift them,” Sutton told the Daily Mail.

“I believe Maguire will prove money well spent, but then I had to pick a partner to play alongside the £80million summer signing. Crikey. Who do I go for? Victor Lindelof? No. Sokratis? No. Luiz? No. Thank goodness Rob Holding is fit because that means he gets my vote here.

“David De Gea beats Bernd Leno because he is the better all-round goalkeeper right now.”

The fact that Sutton has picked a player yet to play a league game this term, that in itself proves the very low quality of player both Arsenal and United have in defence right now.

Whilst Man Utd have added Maguire to their ranks this summer, Emery still has had problems at the back, as he will be hoping that Holding’s return from injury will help turn their fortunes around.

Both need a win tonight, with three points for Arsenal pushing them into the Premier League’s top-four, whilst United can move into the top-eight with maximum points of their own.