How Arsenal could line up against Man Utd with huge boost for Mikel Arteta as Takehiro Tomiyasu returns from injury

MIKEL ARTETA has been handed a major boost in his pursuit of Champions League football with Takehiro Tomiyasu set to return to first team action.

The Japanese international could even start Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off against Manchester United.

Tomiyasu has been out for close to four months due to successive calf injuries.

And despite Ben White impressing at right-back in the 4-2 win against Chelsea in midweek, Tomiyasu is a shoo-in to start if deemed fit.

Arteta told reporters today: “If he trains today and he feels good, he will be available tomorrow.”

Were Tomiyasu to reclaim his place it would likely see White shuffle back into the heart of defence in front of keeper Aaron Ramsdale, with Rob Holding dropping to the bench.

But apart from that Arteta could be tempted to name the same side that conquered Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Despite Alexandre Lacazette training normally since the match, Eddie Nketiah’s two goals may well be enough for him to keep his place up top.

Martin Odegaard is a cert in the No10 role, while goals for Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka against the Blues mean they are also likely to retain their places.

Behind them Mohamed Elneny could be preferred to Albert Sambi Lokonga again after the Egyptian international put in a commanding display in the middle of the park.

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He is likely to start alongside Granit Xhaka.

And Arteta’s lack of options at left-back mean Nuno Tavares is expected to keep his place in defence.

Alternatively, a second game in the space of four days could see Arteta change things up in order to rest some potentially tired legs.

Nketiah ran himself into the ground on Wednesday and could be replaced by Lacazette if he has not recovered from his exertions.

Arteta has a decision to make on Tomiyasu too, and could keep White at right-back if he feels the Japanese defender isn’t quite ready.

Gabriel Martinelli could also be promoted to the starting line up on the left hand side if Arteta wants fresher legs on the pitch.

And Lokonga could be preferred to Elneny in the centre of midfield for that exact reason too.