After missing pre-season, Zinchenko did not feature in Arsenal’s squad for the Community Shield or their Premier League opening-day victory over Nottingham Forest.
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW ARSENAL VS MAN UTD LIVE!
But he come off the bench in their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace and 2-2 draw against Fulham, meaning Zinchenko could be ready to feature from the start against Erik ten Hag’s side this afternoon.
Partey though is a major doubt, after Ghana left him out of their squad for the upcoming international break. A statement from the national team stated that Arsenal had told them the midfielder “could be on the sidelines for a while” after suffering an unspecified injury in training.
That could mean a return to a more traditional back four for Arsenal, with Ben White shifting to right-back and Gabriel Magalhaes returning to partner William Saliba. Meanwhile, Takehiro Tomiyasu is available following his suspension for picking up a red card in that win at Palace, so he is an option.
After coming on for a 91st-minute cameo against Fulham, Mikel Arteta says Gabriel Jesus is fit enough to start — but Eddie Nketiah’s first England call-up following two goals in three games could see the Brazilian kept on the bench a little longer. Talk of a knee injury for Nketiah has been dismissed.
Asked about the competition between the two strikers, Arteta said on Friday: “I don’t see it that way. I just see pride, and [Nketiah’s England call-up] has happened for a reason. He pushed everybody. He pushes himself every single day to be the best he possibly can.”
Meanwhile, Ten Hag could see Sunday’s clash at the Emirates as the appropriate time to name new signing Rasmus Hojlund in Manchester United’s starting line-up for the first time since his move from Atalanta.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Havertz, Odegaard; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
Injuries: Timber, Elneny
Doubts: Partey
Time and date: 4:30pm BST, Sunday September 3, 2023
Venue: Emirates Stadium
