When Arsenal plays Manchester United this weekend, Mikkel Arteta plans to keep using Kai Havertz.
The preseason friendly, which begins on Saturday at 10 p.m. BST in New Jersey, might mark the debut for the £65 million acquisition for the Gunners.
Leandro Trossard, who suffered an injury in the 5-0 demolition of the MLS All-Stars, could be replaced in the starting lineup in midfield by Havertz. Alternately, Arteta’s touted versatility might cause him to be moved about the field.
After the All-Stars game, the Arsenal manager said: “Havertz gives us something really different with his quality and size. sometimes you need to use him as a target man to beat the press, for instance.
“So, we’ll see. For now, he’s playing in the attacking-midfield position, but I’m sure we’ll have the option to play him in different positions throughout the season and during games as well.
Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe have joined the Arsenal team in the United States. After the Euros, the England U21 international received a lengthy holiday, while Partey has not trained because of an injury.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Mohamed Elneny have not yet participated in preseason due to their ongoing injury recoveries.
Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nicolas Pepe, and Cedric Soares won’t be performing because they were left at home for the tour. After the Gold Cup, Matt Turner is yet to play in this preseason, and Reiss Nelson is not available.
newest hires The midweek bench players Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice may start against United, while Folarin Balogun, who has been linked to Inter Milan, will be hoping for an opportunity to shine.
Ramsdale; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Marquinhos, Balogun, Martinelli are the predicted starting lineup for Arsenal.
Nelson, Turner, Lokonga, Cedric, and Pepe weren’t there.
Smith Rowe, Trossard, Partey, Zinchenko, and Elneny all in doubt.
Time and date: Saturday, July 22, 10pm BST.
MetLife Stadium is where.
