"Asking to get beat", "Arteta really wants to lose his job" - Arsenal fans perplexed by duo's absence in XI for Manchester United clash
Arsenal fans took to social media to express confusion at the Gunners' starting lineup for their clash against Manchester United. The two sides are set to face off at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday (January 12) in the FA Cup third round. However, the fans were shocked that Declan Rice and Thomas Partey were left on the bench.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has opted for a midfield three, with Martin Odegaard in the playmaker role. Behind the captain, Mikel Merino and Jorginho will hold down the middle of the park, rather than Declan Rice. In right-back, where Thomas Partey has deputized in recent games, Arteta has opted for Jurrien Timber.
Both Rice and Partey have been a consistent part of the Gunners' squad this season. While Rice has played 25 games in all competitions this season, scoring twice and providing five assists, Partey has played 28 games, scoring twice and providing two assists.
The fans are not pleased about their absence from the starting lineup against Manchester United, and they questioned Arteta's decision to leave them on the bench.
"No Rice or Partey is ridiculous, and asking to get beat," a fan wrote.
"Havertz on the left??? Also why is rice and partey not starting? Arteta really wants to lose his job," a fan slammed the manager.
"Arteta has benched Rice and Partey against my clubs biggest rivals" this fan cried.
"Why bench Rice and Partey!?" another could not understand.
"If we loose this game, it will be because Rice and Partey didn’t start in midfield" a fan warned.
Arsenal Mikel Arteta speaks ahead of Manchester United clash
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta talked about their aspirations ahead of the Manchester United clash in the FA Cup third round. The Red Devils have not beaten the Gunners at the Emirates, where the match is set to take place, since 2019, and Arteta will be looking to continue this run.
Speaking about how important the FA Cup is to Arsenal, Arteta told the press (via club's official website):
"It’s a massive part of our history, we’ve won it 14 times and it is a competition very attached to us. It’s a beautiful game to play against a massive club, and a very special occasion as well with the amount supporters that they're going to bring, so it’s a very big game."
Arsenal are coming off a run of three wins in their last five games. However, they have not won in their last two. The case is more problematic for Manchester United, who have not won in their last five games.
