Who should Arteta choose to lead Arsenal's attack against Man Utd?

Football writer Adrian Clarke identifies the key players, team tactics and where matches could be won and lost in Matchweek 23.

Team analysis: Arsenal

Back-to-back goalless draws in the Premier League has put the microscope on Arsenal’s attackers ahead of Sunday’s encounter with Manchester United.  

Netting just twice from open play in 2026, both via midfielder Declan Rice, there has been a lack of sparkle from the Gunners forwards in recent weeks.  

When you look at how many top-flight games each of their attacking players have gone without scoring it may just give the Red Devils encouragement this weekend.  

Arsenal attacking players' matches since last PL goal

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It should be noted that most players on a barren run have not been starting on a regular basis - and that several of them (Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus) have all scored multiple goals in other competitions during the same period.   

But Arteta would certainly like more output from this talented group in Premier League matches.  

In 11 of Arsenal’s 15 top-flight wins this season, the first goal has come from a set-piece, so there has been a reliance on that forte.  

With the advantage of a 1–0 lead the Gunners have been imperious too, claiming 46 points from a possible 48.  

So, goals which break the deadlock in open play would certainly help ease the pressure.  

In open play, Arsenal have created a lower Expected Goals (xG) figure than four of the top six sides in the table, so there is scope for major improvement.  

Top six teams' xG in open play

Dealing with defensive opponents 

One key issue is that most of Arsenal’s best performances in 2025/26 have come against teams who chose to go toe-to-toe with them, rather than setting up in a low, defensive block. 

In the UEFA Champions League for example, they have produced some exhilarating football, scoring 20 times in seven straight victories, conceding just twice.  

Closer to home they have encountered more pragmatic opponents, intent on placing 10 or 11 men behind the ball, denying them space centrally, between the lines, and in beyond the last defender.  

Even Manchester City set up in that way earlier on this season.  

In a 1-1 draw they had just 32.80 per cent of possession, the lowest figure produced by a Pep Guardiola team in the 601st league match of his coaching career.  

It is no coincidence that in matches where they have scored at least three goals, Arsenal’s opponents have averaged a healthy 47.20 per cent share of possession.

On the flip side, in games where Mikel Arteta’s side scored twice or less, that figure dips to a 40.07 per cent average.  

How Arsenal goals correlate with opponents' possession share

This shows Arsenal are far more fluid and enterprising when teams come on to them.  

The stats tell us they have faced the second-lowest defensive line in 2025/26, and at times it has been a grind for them to break down packed defences.  

Teams facing lowest defensive lines - PL 25/26

The issue they face between now and end of the campaign is that most rival teams will play that way, especially while the score is 0-0.  

Michael Carrick’s Man Utd for example, who played brilliantly to beat Man City last weekend with just 31.80 per cent possession, will surely repeat that tactic at Emirates Stadium.  

Defending behind the ball, before countering at speed, feels like the most sensible ploy from Carrick.  

Why Gyokeres does not like low blocks

Stretching the game is the best way of helping Gyokeres find the back of the net more regularly.  

Five of the Swede’s nine goals in all competitions have come in open play and ALL of them saw Arsenal play longer balls in beyond the opposition backline.  

His only two top-flight goals outside of penalties and set-pieces came at home to Leeds United and Nottingham Forest, when both defences were punished for holding a high line.

The goal against Leeds came from a lengthy pass from Riccardo Calafiori which released him down the left. From there, he cut inside to score.

Watch: Gyokeres' first goal against Leeds

Then, in a win at home to Forest, Calafiori picked out Eberechi Eze’s run, and he crossed low for Gyokeres to convert.

Watch: Gyokeres' goal against Forest

As if to further emphasis the point, in midweek a fabulous 40-yard pass over the top from Martinelli released Gyokeres beyond the last defender, and from that same move he fired home from outside the box (see below).

His other two open-play goals, against Atletico Madrid and Chelsea, also came from situations where the Gunners played the ball in behind the opposition rearguard.  

Gyokeres is at his most dangerous when his markers are forced to sprint back towards their own goal. 

This does not happen as often when facing cautious low blocks.  

What must Arsenal do to help? 

Getting the ball forward earlier and with a bit more directness will suit the type of runs that the Swede makes.  

In this graphic published by The Athletic, you can see most of his runs are in behind the last defender or sprinting to get on the end of crosses.  

Yet when you analyse the key passes the former Sporting striker has received, there are very few vertical balls that release him with space to run into.  

While there have been a handful of balls flashed across the six-yard box, the quantity is still very low for a player who has featured for 1,353 minutes.

Not enough ammunition is being served up from Arsenal’s left, which is something they must also try to remedy.  

Big chances in short supply 

Among the 34 top-flight players to have scored five or more goals, 23 have had more shots than Gyokeres, who ranks 28th for shooting accuracy (45.83 per cent).  

Tightening up at key moments, the Swede has also missed seven of 11 big chances, so he must find ways to improve on those numbers.  

In fairness to him, Arsenal do not set him up with anywhere near enough clear-cut opportunities.  

Receiving just six big chance-creating passes all season, it is important for Saka, Odegaard, Trossard, Eze, Martinelli and Madueke to put more opportunities on a plate.  

When you compare the service Erling Haaland (30 big chance-creating passes) and Igor Thiago (16) have received at Man City and Brentford respectively, there is a stark difference.  

Just a few more of those early through-balls played into space by City for Haaland to run on to would help Gyokeres unlock that side of his game.

Interestingly, during his most productive period (four goals in his first 10 matches), Arsenal did play more directly than they have done since the striker got injured at Burnley in Matchweek 10.  

Arsenal passing stats - PL 25/26

Who should start against United?

Gabriel Jesus’ impressive brace against Internazionale Milano must have propelled the Brazilian into Arteta’s thinking for the United match.

With Kai Havertz not yet fit enough to start, and United’s counter-attacking tactics unlikely to help Gyokeres, there is a chance Jesus will be named in the XI.  

His varied movement, unpredictability and link play does make Arteta’s side more fluent in possession.  

Gabriel Jesus' stats are also strong in several areas, as this graphic from Sky Sports below highlights.  

Havertz has the best goal output however, and is the most likely starter when all three are match fit.

Arsenal players when starting as forwards 

*Scroll across on mobile to see the full table. Stats per 90 minutes

With all this in mind, it could be time for Arteta to use the Swedish star as an impact substitute that can "finish" off opponents.

He would lose Gyokeres’ excellent pressing, that threat in behind, and the way he occupies central defenders, but his style is made to impress off the bench.  

When defenders begin to tire, especially during spells where rivals are pushing forward in order to get back into the game, the option of bringing Gyokeres on is appealing.  

The higher the defensive line, the more he prefers it, and his energised style could be a nightmare for centre-backs late on in matches.  

It will be fascinating to see if Arteta views it that way this weekend.