Arsenal can extend their lead at the top of the Premier League with a win over Erik ten Hag's Manchester United this afternoon.
The Gunners have won their opening five fixtures and now face the biggest test of the season so far with a trip to Old Trafford. Mikel Arteta will be hoping his side can join the list of past Premier League teams to win their opening six games of the season, along with Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Arsenal could move four points clear at the top of the table with a win over United after City dropped points against Aston Villa. Arteta has played down talks of a potential title challenge this season, with the Gunners solely focused on achieving a top four spot and performing to their best each week.
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Arsenal have been boosted by the inclusion of Martin Odegaard, Aaron Ramsdale and Oleksandr Zinchenko in the matchday squad to play United, though the latter is likely to miss out after not being involved in training this week. While Arteta is adding returning players to his squad, Ten Hag is said to have axed five United stars from his squad this week.
Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Antony and Martin Dubravka all signed for the club in the summer transfer window for a combined sum of around £220million - the largest amount Manchester United have ever spent in a single transfer window. United's first-team dressing room is unable to accommodate the existing squad along with the addition of the six new arrivals, with the AON Training Centre's changing room only able to accommodate a maximum of 24 players, according to The Sun.
This has meant that Ten Hag the club have been forced to a push a number of first team fringe players into the Under-23's changing area, as per The Mirror. Phil Jones is the biggest name to have been exiled by the United boss, along with Brandon Williams, defenders Axel Tuanzebe and Tegen Mendi, as well as young midfielder Shola Shoretire.
Mikel Arteta has been able to loan out or move on a number of fringe players at the Emirates Stadium, with the likes of Bernd Leno, Lucas Torreira and Hector Bellerin all leaving the club. Club captain Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale are set to be passed fit for the game against United and it is set up to be a huge clash at Old Trafford.
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