Arteta has eight Arsenal undroppables v Man Utd and three available positions

Arsenal take on Manchester United in their Premier League curtain-raiser at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Ahead of the game, manager Mikel Arteta has probably made up his mind on the starting XI.

In our opinion, the Spanish tactician has eight undroppables, beginning with captain Martin Odegaard.

Alongside him, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice should be undisputed starters in midfield.

Similarly, goalkeeper David Raya and centre-back duo William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are guaranteed to make the XI.

In the final third, Bukayo Saka is a constant on the right wing while Viktor Gyokeres is expected to lead the line against the Red Devils.

This leaves the manager with three positions to fill (a right-back, left-back and a left winger).

Ben White has been a consistent starter in the right-back role this summer with Jurrien Timber having missed most of pre-season because of a minor surgery.

Timber made the starting XI in the 3-0 win over Athletic Club, but White could get the nod due to his regular availability and better chemistry with Saka on the right flank.

Myles Lewis-Skelly has been the mainstay for the Gunners at left-back in 2025, but Riccardo Calafiori was a surprise starter over him in the recent friendly triumph.

Calafiori was reinstated on his return from a minor knee injury, but we still believe Lewis-Skelly will be picked ahead of the Italian to start against the Red Devils.

Meanwhile, Arteta has a decision to make on whether to pick Gabriel Martinelli or Noni Madueke on the left side of the Gunners’ front three.

Madueke outperformed Martinelli during his 45-minute cameo against Athletic. He had more touches, passes and delivered a couple of quality crosses into the box.

It remains to be seen whether the summer signing will make the starting XI.

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