Arsenal just made one alteration following their 4-2 victory against Chelsea. Cedric returns to right back, allowing Ben White to return to centre defence as a stand-in. Rob Holding is forced to take a seat on the bench.
Following the 4-0 defeat at Anfield, Manchester United make five changes. Cristiano Ronaldo is back in action after a compassionate vacation. Also starting are Raphael Varane, Scott McTominay, Alex Telles, and Jadon Sancho. They come in for the injured Paul Pogba, as well as Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who have all been benched. Maguire has been given some time off following his bomb scare earlier this week.
Before kick off, a moment of applause in memory of former Arsenal chief scout Steve Rowley. The man who spotted Tony Adams, Ray Parlour and Cesc Fabregas. RIP. Then the knee. There’s no room for racism. Manchester United get the ball rolling.
This has the makings of another embarrassment. Arsenal want it more, unsurprisingly, because they have committed players on the pitch. You could possibly count the number of committed players at United on one hand.
Ronaldo’s presence gives United a chance, as witnessed there with the opportunity for Elanga, who never looked like beating Ramsdale. The United supporters started loudly but most of them have quickly quietened.
It’s embarrassing, every single week. A must-win game and Varane and Telles produce that pathetic attempt at defending. Both of them could have cleared but to say it was casual is doing those of you still in your pyjamas on a Saturday lunchtime a disservice. Wretched defending.