Arsenal predicted XI v Manchester United as £45m man returns and Neto decision made

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Arsenal will look to get their FA Cup campaign off to a winning start when they host Manchester United in the third round on Sunday.

The tie of the round sees the competition’s two most successful sides face off, with the Gunners having won the FA Cup 14 times and the Red Devils lifting the trophy 13 times.

In addition, Manchester United are the current holders, having overcome arch-rivals Manchester City in the Wembley showpiece last May.

TBR Football looks at who Mikel Arteta could name in the Arsenal starting XI in Sunday’s 3pm kick-off at the Emirates Stadium.

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Arsenal v Manchester United team news

Arsenal will be without Ben White (knee), Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) for the game against Man United.

However, Raheem Sterling is available again, while Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard shook off illness to return to action in midweek.

In addition, Neto – who was ineligible to play for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup – is eligible to take part in this season’s FA Cup.

As for Man United, Altay Bayindir is set to start in goal against the Gunners, while Marcus Rashford is available for selection after illness.

Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount have all been on the sidelines due to injury and are not expected to return for the Arsenal game.

Neto could be overlooked as Riccardo Calafiori set to return

With Arsenal having been drawn against a dangerous opponent in the same league as them, there’s a good chance they’ll name a fairly strong line-up.

Although Neto could start on this occasion, we feel Arteta will stick with David Raya in between the sticks.

The bulk of the back four is likely to be composed of the same players who started against Newcastle, though we feel there will be one change.

This would come at left-back, with £42million summer signing Riccardo Calafiori replacing academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Arteta will have one eye on the North London derby in midweek next week, so there could be a few other changes for the same of resting key players.

We predict Mikel Merino will replace Thomas Partey, while £45million forward Gabriel Jesus could come in for Leandro Trossard on the right side of attack.

Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli would retain their places from the midweek Carabao Cup clash.

Arsenal predicted starting XI v Manchester United (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli