Arsenal XI against Manchester United: Havertz experiment, expected lineup, confirmed squad news and latest injury

Mikel Arteta is ready to continue his Kai Havertz experiment when Arsenal is opposed to Manchester United this weekend.

The signing of £ 65 million could make its first start for the Gunners in the pre-season-friendly, which takes place on Saturday evening at 10 p.m. BST in New Jersey.

Havertz was able to start in midfield instead of Leandro Trossard, who took a knock in the 5-0 rout of MLS All-Stars. As an alternative, the versatility that was discussed by Arteta could see him move around the field.

The Arsenal boss said after the all-star-friendly: “Havertz gives us something completely different with its quality and size. For example, when you need to defeat the press and use it as a target.

“Well, we’ll see – at the moment he plays in attacking midfield, but I’m sure we’ll have the opportunity to use him in different positions throughout the season and also during games.”

Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey have joined the Arsenal team in the United States. The England Under-21 international had to take a long break after the European Championship when Partey was out of training due to injury.

Oleksandr Zinchenko and Mohamed Elneny are yet to feature in pre-season as they continue their comeback from injury.

Cédric Soares, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nicolas Pepe will not be there as they were left at home during the tour. Matt Turner is also yet to appear in this preseason after the Gold Cup and Reiss Nelson are unavailable.

New signings Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice were placed on the bench midweek so could be in the starting eleven against United, and Folarin Balogun is hoping for a chance to impress amidst Inter Milan ties.

Expected Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Wood, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Marquinhos, Balogun, Martinelli

Absent: Nelson, Turner, Lokonga, Cedric, Pepe

Doubt: Smith Rowe, Trossard, Partey, Zinchenko, Elneny

Time and date: 10pm BST, Saturday July 22, 2023

Venue: MetLife Stadium