Arsenal vs Man United Combined XI: Fernandes one of only two United representatives
Arsenal and Manchester United face off on Sunday as both sides look to carry on their great form. Here we have put together a combined XI for the game based on WhoScored ratings, and of those available for selection, with Arsenal dominating the team with nine players to United’s two.
Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal) – 6.80
Arsenal have the second best defence in the league this season, only conceding 14 goals, and much of this has down to the heroics of Aaron Ramsdale, who has nine clean sheets in his 18 appearances, only behind Nick Pope who has 11 in 19. His save success rate is also second best in the league at 77.8%; only Nick Pope (78.1%) has better in the Premier League this season. Ramsdale’s overall WhoScored rating is 6.80 as a result.
Originally bought in as a centre-back, Ben White has thrived at right-back. He is averaging the second most tackles per game (2.1) of Arsenal players in the league this season and he has only been dribbled past 10 times. His new position has also seen him higher up the pitch, where he is averaging 0.4 crosses per game, the fourth highest at Arsenal, and has seen him notch two assists, earning him a WhoScored rating of 6.94.
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 6.79
William Saliba has been vital to Arsenal’s defensive solidity this season and no player in the Premier League this season has won possession in the defensive third more times than the Frenchman (78), all the while averaging 3.2 clearances per game. His contribution has also been felt higher up the pitch, registering two goals and one assist in the league.
Gabriel is the perfect all-rounder in terms of the quality he offers both in defence and in attack. He ranks sixth for blocks per game (0.8) in the league, while also making 1.3 tackles and winning 2.1 aerial duels per game, which ranks highly. During his time with Arsenal, he has been known for his goalscoring ability, and he has shown this as well this season with two league goals.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal) – 6.86
Oleksandr Zinchenko has proven a key signing in terms of Arteta’s style of play and has provided assurance at the back with his 1.7 tackles per game, which is third highest for Arsenal, while his 1.5 aerial duels won ranks fourth among his teammates. Offensively he has registered one assist and overall, his WhoScored rating is 6.86 as a result.
Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) – 7.52
Since Gabriel Jesus’ injury, no player has been more important to this Arsenal side than Martin Odegaard. He is Arsenal’s top goalscorer with eight goals and has also provided five assists, which is the third highest in the league. 1.2 dribbles per game ranks highly in the league, as does his 2.2 key passes per game, which is fifth highest. Odegaard’s work off the ball has been equally as important, winning possession in the attacking third 21 times, which only Kevin De Bruyne (24) can better.
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – 7.23
It can be easier to see the influence of Thomas Partey in this Arsenal team just by the win percentage drop when he is not in the team. His work ethic in the middle of the park is vital in Arsenal breaking up play and launching counter attacks, as he has won possession in the midfield third 74 times, the fourth highest in the league, while also making more tackles per game (2.3) and most interceptions per game (1.1) than any Arsenal player this season. He also has a pass success rate of 86.9%, something that is so important to Arteta’s style of play.
Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) – 7.31
Manchester United’s captain and highest rated player, Bruno Fernandes continues to come up trumps when they need it most. He has notched up with four goals and three assists, both of which are the second highest for United, while he has registered 49 key passes, which is behind only Kevin De Bruyne (60) and Kieran Trippier (51) in the league. No player in the league is averaging more through balls per game (0.5) either, which goes to show his importance to the attack.
It can be argued that no player has been more important over the last two years or so for Arsenal than Bukayo Saka and he has continued to show great form this season as well. He has scored six times and assisted seven times, which is second only to De Bruyne (10). He is also joint in the league for key passes per game (2.2) with teammate Odegaard, while his 1.2 dribbles per game also ranks highly in the league.
Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) – 6.96
One of the most in-form players in the league right now has to be Marcus Rashford. Since the World Cup, he is averaging a goal contribution every 80 minutes in the Premier League alone. He is also averaging 2.5 shots per game in the league, highlighting his more advanced role in the team.
Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) – 7.32
Gabriel Martinelli has continued his form from the tail end of last season, scoring seven goals and registering two assists, while also having 2.4 shots a game in the league, highlighting his constant threat for the opposition. He has also registered 121 touches in the Premier League this season, which only four other players, including Gabriel Jesus (141) can better. This may go some way in explaining the amount of times he is fouled in a game (1.3) as he is so hard for defenders to mark, as well as his 1.7 dribbles per game, which is the fourth highest in the league.
