Arsenal host Manchester United this Saturday in what could be a season-defining fixture for both Premier League sides, with top-four on the line in the final few weeks of the season.
The Gunners have, up until recently, enjoyed an incredible campaign that has seen Mikel Arteta instil some real belief in the fanbase after years of questions and disappointment, whilst United will be looking to end the season as soon as possible.
Whilst the Red Devils are well in with a chance of top-four a lack of consistency and belief in Ralf Rangnick has once again seen Old Trafford engulfed in a dark cloud that Erik Ten Hag will be looking to overcome next season.
Indeed, this fixture is one of the biggest and most historic in English football, but who makes it into a combined XI for Arsenal and United based on the players and form from this season?
GK – Aaron Ramsdale
In reality, either Aaron Ramsdale or David De Gea could have taken the goalkeeper spot, but the Arsenal star and England international just squeaks into the XI based on how much of a revelation the 23-year-old has been this season.
Whilst his Spanish rival has been one of United’s most consistent performers, nobody can deny the impact Ramsdale has had at Arsenal this season, with the keeper set to command the sticks for the Gunners for years to come.
RB – Takehiro Tomiyasu
Although Takehiro Tomiyasu has been injured for most of 2022, the Japanese international, just like Ramsdale, has been a sensation for Arsenal, with the 23-year-old arguably one of the signings of the season in the entire Premier League.
Blessed with pace and a strong aerial presence, Tomiyasu has added a new dimension to Arsenal’s right-back spot, and compared to Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot, the former Bologna star has clearly been the better right-back this season.
CB – Ben White
As like Ramsdale, Arsenal’s signing of Ben White split fans down the middle, yet like his England international teammate, the former Brighton and Hove Albion star has been quite brilliant for the north London side.
A silky passer and defensively solid, White has partnered well with Gabriel Magalhaes this season as part of a new-look Arsenal defence that for the large part of the season has been one of the best in the Premier League.
CB – Raphael Varane
Whilst Arsenal were signing White for a reported £50m, United pulled off what looked to be one of the signings of the summer in Raphael Varane from Real Madrid. And whilst the France international has been solid, injuries have been a real nuisance for the 28-year-old.
Indeed, United’s defensive record has been all over the shop this season, in large part to the likes of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, yet Varane has had moments of brilliance, and next season the centre-back will play a huge role in the Red Devils’ rebuild under Ten Hag.
LB – Kieran Tierney
Luke Shaw’s rise and fall as one of the best left-backs in world football back to the United defender of all has been a surprising watch for all, yet for Kieran Tierney, the Arsenal star has carried out his business as normal.
His season-ending injury has played a huge role in Arsenal’s incredible dip in form in recent weeks, and whilst in the XI, Tierney has continued to be one of the most reliable fullbacks both offensively and defensively in the Premier League.
CM – Thomas Partey
It would be an understatement to say that Thomas Partey has been important for Arsenal this season, with the Ghanian international finally finding his feet for the Gunners and playing a central role in Arteta’s system.
Alongside Granit Xhaka, Partey has been one of the most entertaining midfielders to watch for Arsenal this season, and just like Tierney, his absence until the end of the season will play a huge factor in the Gunners’ hopes for top-four.
CM – Fred
Let’s be honest, who expected Fred to be as good as he has been this season? The biggest winner of Rangnick’s appointment, the midfielder has played like a Brazilian since the German coach’s arrival, and his form for United has been key to some huge results.
Whether or not Fred can maintain this level of form is a question for another time, but for United, fans are finally starting to see the £52m Jose Mourinho splashed out all those years ago in glorious fashion.
CM – Bruno Fernandes
Whilst Bruno Fernandes’ goalscoring antics has taken a backstep this campaign for one obvious reason, the Portuguese international has still been central to United’s UEFA Champions League hopes this season.
The former Sporting Lisbon star has created the most chances out of anyone in the Premier League this season, and as a leader on the pitch, Fernandes’ form will be key if United are to beat Arsenal at the Emirates this weekend.
RW – Bukayo Saka
Arsenal’s success this season has been built on the back of Arteta putting his faith in young players, and Bukayo Saka has arguably been the star of the show for the Gunners this campaign.
The England international has gone up another level in recent months, adding goals and assists to his game and establishing himself as one of the best players in the Premier League, something Arsenal will be hoping to treasure for many years to come.
ST – Cristiano Ronaldo
Although Alexandre Lacazette’s link-up play has been invaluable for Arsenal, Cristiano Ronaldo’s status as the greatest goalscorer of all time clearly puts the United superstar in this combined XI.
The 37-year-old attacker’s homecoming to Manchester might not be going to plan in terms of performances and results in the league and cup competitions, but Ronaldo’s goals will be the difference at the end of the season between a Champions League finish or a return to the UEFA Europa League.
LW – Emile Smith Rowe
It’s still quite astonishing to think that Emile Smith Rowe is Arsenal’s top goalscorer this season, yet the Hale End academy star has been a surprise breakout star for the north London side in more ways than one.
A player who has developed massively in the past 12 months, Smith Rowe has been potent in front of goal this season for Arsenal, and his antics in the final third have been a real surprise to supporters of the north London side.
Arsenal/Manchester United combined XI (4-3-3) – Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Varane, Tierney; Partey, Fred, Fernandes; Saka, Ronaldo, Smith Rowe
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