Football

Arsenal outnumber Man Utd players by two-to-one in combined XI picked by Chris Sutton as pundit slates Solskjaer’s mediocre side


CHRIS SUTTON picked seven Arsenal players to four from Manchester United in his combined XI as he slated Ole Gunnar Solskaer’s flops.

Ahead of tonight’s clash at Old Trafford, the pundit pulled together what he reckons are the best of two underperforming squads – leaving out any injured stars who are not expected to feature.

 Chris Sutton's combined XI features seven Arsenal players and four Manchester United men

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Chris Sutton’s combined XI features seven Arsenal players and four Manchester United men

Writing for the Mail, he opted for David De Gea between the sticks ahead of Bernd Leno.

In 12 Premier League games between them this season, they have just three clean sheets – two for De Gea, one for Leno – while the Spaniard has conceded six goals to Leno’s ten.

Interestingly, De Gea has made 17 saves, 12 fewer than his opposite number – which probably says more about their respective defences.

Sutton picked Manchester United’s two big summer signings on the right side of a back four with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire.

The pair have undoubtedly bolstered the Red Devils at the back and are an upgrade on what Solskjaer was working with last year.

But the ex-Crystal Palace youngster is a doubt for tonight’s clash after not being spotted heading into The Lowry Hotel earlier.

Rob Holding is the other centre-back while Kieran Tierney gets the nod on the left, despite not featuring in the Premier League yet due to injury.



Sutton said: “For those of you wondering why I haven’t named Sokratis or David Luiz, it’s because I’d like my defence to stop goals, not gift them!

“Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire are two of the few players that Manchester United can celebrate this season.

“Who do I go for to partner Maguire? Victor Lindelof? No. Sokratis? No. Luiz? No. Thank goodness Rob Holding is fit, because that means he gets my vote here.”

Manchester United’s midfield problems have been exposed for all to see while Arsenal have a growing list of central midfielders.

Sutton decided to overlook the likes of Granit Xhaka and Scott McTominay and went with Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira holding in midfield.

And then in front of those is £72million man Nicolas Pepe on the right, £89m Paul Pogba through the middle and on-loan Real Madrid man Dani Ceballos on the left with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leading the line.

Aubameyang has seven Prem goals this term – the most from either club – with Marcus Rashford and the overlooked Daniel James on three.

The 1994/95 Premier League winner explained: “Guendouzi and Torreira are better than anything United can offer in that area. That does not mean I’ve forgotten about Paul Pogba.

“I like what the attacking side of his game, so I’ve placed him further forward at the centre of my three.

“On his right is Pepe, and on his left is the creative Ceballos. If Alexandre Lacazette wasn’t injured, he’d be in my team, for sure. If Rashford was fit, he might make it, too.”

Sutton reckons Arsenal will secure a 2-1 win at Old Trafford, which would be their first victory away at United for 13 years.

Solskjaer claims Man Utd fans still back him as pressure mounts ahead of Arsenal clash





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