‘Incredible’ Arsenal player could be dropped by Mikel Arteta against Man Utd, it’s a really tough call

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All eyes are on the opening day of the season, as Arsenal face Manchester United at Old Trafford.

What better way to get the 2025/26 season underway than with a Premier League blockbuster?

Though the task of going to Old Trafford is historically a daunting one for Arsenal, excluding 2002, of course, now might be the perfect time to play Man United. 

Ruben Amorim’s new-look attack and Mikel Arteta’s strengthened Arsenal squad will go head-to-head for three points, with fans eagerly awaiting to learn the first lineup of the campaign.  

Myles Lewis-Skelly could be dropped for Man United opener

The most prominent talking point will be the two strikers, as Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko could make his United debut, while Amorim’s target Viktor Gyokeres visits as an Arsenal player.

Martin Zubimendi is also braced to start, and Noni Madueke has a good chance to make the starting XI, but it’s an existing player who could also experience change on matchday one. 

Myles Lewis-Skelly was poor in pre-season, which was unusual for the teenager, who had a remarkable breakthrough campaign. 

Becoming an England international and a firm starter as Arteta’s left-back was a real high, but his stance in the starting XI could be up for debate.

Though Gabriel Magalhaes thinks Lewis-Skelly is ‘incredible’ and makes him feel safe at the back, there’s a good chance that the Englishman won’t start on the opening day.

That’s because Riccardo Calafiori is impressing, returning back on the scene after an injury-laden first season at Arsenal. 

The versatile defender can offer the Gunners so much when he’s available, something Arteta will surely be wary of ahead of the opening day.

Calafiori gets himself into fantastic positions, despite being deployed as a left-back, something that could come in useful to Arteta when playing against Amorim’s favoured 3-4-3 set-up. 

Starting Riccardo Calafiori would also be a gamble

Though Calafiori offers more experience and tactical variability, the 23-year-old doesn’t come without fault. 

If there’s one situation that Arsenal fans won’t want to see the Italy international in at Old Trafford, it’s isolated in defence or chasing an attacker.

Calafiori’s defending needs some work, but it has to be said that what’s been seen from Lewis-Skelly over pre-season hasn’t been much better. 

Arteta has a decision to make on the left, with Lewis-Skelly and Calafiori able to offer different things to the back four and beyond.