January business for United?

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Xhaka and Torreira are paired together as the wall to stop Manchester United and that Arsenal front four looks rather exciting: Pepe, Ozil, Aubameyang and Lacazette.

Matic keeps his place in midfield for United, while Shaw will line up against Pepe, which will be an intriguing battle.

Arsenal: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Luiz, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Torreira, Pepe, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette.

Subs: Martinez, Ceballos, Holding, Nelson, Willock, Guendouzi, Saka.

An Arsenal ‘fan’ has just phoned up 606 to say they are going down and Aubameyang and Lacazette aren’t good enough. I know things aren’t great the the moment but to say the Gunners will be relegated is bizarre. Odd chap.

Here’s David Hytner on Mikel Arteta’s worries.

Related: Mikel Arteta wary of United threat to Arsenal’s weak defensive foundations

Happy New Year!

Hopefully by now your hangover has subsided and you have moved back onto solids. Speaking of hangovers, Arsenal are still trying to get over the one induced by pumping 75% proof Unai Emery into their veins. New boss Mikel Arteta looks to have brought some endeavour and freedom to Arsenal’s attacking players but the same old issues continue in defence and it cost them two late goals and the match against Chelsea. Arteta will be hoping he can secure his first win tonight but that will not be as easy as it seemed a couple of months ago.

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