Sports
Team News and Predicted Starting Lineups
Arsenal and Manchester United will go head-to-head in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon at the Emirates Stadium, in a huge game between two historic rivals.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been sensational this season and currently sit at the top of the table, while they have also won all seven of their Champions League games this season following a 3-1 victory against Inter at the San Siro in midweek. Michael Carrick’s side, on the other hand, have had a mixed campaign but claimed a huge 2-0 win over rivals Man City in his first game as manager last time out.
Both teams will come into this game with some injury issues, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expects the sides to line up for the game.
Arsenal Team News
Arteta is hoping to welcome back defenders Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori from injuries after they returned to training, but Kai Havertz remains sidelined as he continues to recover from a knee problem.
Young winger Max Dowman also remains unavailable with an ankle injury picked up playing for the academy team.
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Arsenal Injuries and Suspensions |
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|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Injury |
Potential Return Date |
|
Max Dowman |
Ankle |
14/02/2026 |
|
Piero Hincapie |
Thigh |
25/01/2026 |
|
Riccardo Calafiori |
Knock |
25/01/2026 |
|
Kai Havertz |
Knee |
25/01/2026 |
Arteta Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.
“We still have another training session, so we’ll see tomorrow [on Hincapie and Calafiori]. After that, to assess everybody and make a decision, first of all, in the squad.
“No, after Inter we had no issues reported.
“He [Havertz] is very close. Obviously, he has been out for a long time, almost a year, for different reasons, and now we have to be very smart in the manner that we manage that load, the minutes, and I am sure that in the next few weeks, he is going to play in minutes.”
Arsenal Predicted XI
- Arsenal Predicted XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Trossard; Gyokeres.
- Arsenal Predicted Substitutes: Kepa (GK), White (DEF), Lewis-Skelly (DEF), Mosquera (DEF), Merino (MID), Eze (MID), Martinelli (FWD), Madueke (FWD), Jesus (FWD).
Arsenal have a set lineup that they tend to go with when everyone is available, and it would be a surprise if Arteta didn’t go with that again in this game.
That should see Martinelli, £50m signing Madueke and Jesus named on the bench, while Viktor Gyokeres keeps his place in the starting lineup.
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Man Utd Team News
United will continue to be without experienced centre-back Matthijs De Ligt, as he continues to recover from a back injury, with the Netherlands star expected to miss another couple of weeks.
Noussair Mazraoui is set to return after reaching the AFCON final with Morocco, while Joshua Zirkzee could return after missing the Manchester derby with a knock. Shea Lacey is also available after serving his one-game ban.
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Man Utd Injuries and Suspensions |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Injury |
Potential Return Date |
|
Matthijs De Ligt |
Back |
07/02/2026 |
|
Joshua Zirkzee |
Knock |
25/01/2026 |
|
Noussair Mazraoui |
Int’l Duty |
25/01/2026 |
|
Shea Lacey |
Suspended |
25/01/2026 |
Carrick Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Carrick shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.
“I think it was just a little bit slower than initially hoped but he’s [De Ligt] certainly getting closer.
“Hopefully, the next couple of weeks, without putting an exact timeline on it, he’ll be back and it’ll be great to have him back.”
“I’m not going to tell you the team first off [laughs]. No, everyone came through the game really well, actually. I can’t tell you anything, apart from the obvious.”
“The boys are in a really good place, off the back of last week. They’re training really well, so I can see how much they’re in it and focused and feed off the energy.
“The boys came through it really well [last weekend]. It was big, there’s no getting away from it, an emotional day, physically and mentally, and a big lift.”
Man Utd Predicted XI
- Man Utd Predicted XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo.
- Man Utd Predicted Substitutes: Bayindir (GK), Mazraoui (DEF), Yoro (DEF), Heaven (DEF), Ugarte (MID), Mount (MID), Cunha (FWD), Sesko (FWD), Zirkzee (FWD).
After a huge win last week, Carrick is likely to go with an unchanged lineup despite having Noussair Mazraoui available once more. That means £74m man Benjamin Sesko may have to make do with a place on the bench again, alongside £62.5m summer arrival Matheus Cunha.
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Sports
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Puts Alexi Lalas in His Place During World Cup
Thierry Henry produced a priceless reaction live on FOX Sports after Zlatan Ibrahimovic put Alexi Lalas in his place on live TV following France’s 3-1 win over Senegal at the 2026 World Cup.
The trio have only been working together since the tournament began last week but there have already been moments of tension between Lalas, the former United States international, and his fellow pundits.
Lalas made headlines last week after describing British presenter James Corden as a “full kit w***er” live on TV on day two of the tournament, prompting a shocked reaction from his fellow panellists.
Since then, viewers on social media have been speculating that Zlatan and Henry have little time for the outspoken Lalas.
Zlatan Shuts Down ‘Arrogant’ France Accusations
There was another tense moment between Ibrahimovic and Lalas on Tuesday, following France’s victory over Senegal.
Lalas attempted to spark a discussion over whether the French team were guilty of being arrogant during the goalless first half. The 56-year-old made the comment after former USA star Landon Donovan called Les Bleus “arrogant” and “casual” in their approach during the opening 45 minutes.
“The reality is, if they are arrogant, it’s because they can do things like that,” Lalas said, highlighting France’s second-half performance in which Kylian Mbappe scored twice. However, Zlatan shut down any suggestions of France being arrogant, responding:
“It’s not arrogance, it’s confidence. Ignorant people will say it’s arrogance, intelligent people will say it’s confidence.”
Henry’s eyes widened and stayed that way for several seconds as the dust settled on Zlatan’s cutting response. Watch the clip below:
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France, one of the pre-tournament favourites, struggled during the first half against Senegal in hot conditions at the New York New Jersey Stadium. But Didier Deschamps’ side found their rhythm after the break and secured all three points thanks to Mbappe’s brace and another goal from substitute Bradley Barcola.
However, France only find themselves second in Group I after the first round of matches due to Norway securing a 4-1 win over Iraq. Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, making his maiden appearance at a World Cup finals, scored twice at the Boston Stadium.
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In the night’s other games, over in Group J, Lionel Messi became the World Cup’s joint all-time leading goalscorer after netting a hat-trick for Argentina against Algeria, while Austria sealed a 3-1 win over Jordan.
Sports
Ruben Amorim Wants Manuel Ugarte From Man Utd
Ruben Amorim could offer Manuel Ugarte an escape route, as The Mirror claims that the former Manchester United head coach wants the midfielder at his next club, AC Milan.
The Uruguayan international has struggled to make much of an impression since his switch from Paris Saint-Germain, having dropped down the team pecking order in the past year.
Ugarte’s struggles have been well-documented, and as Man United look to bolster their midfield ranks, he has been put among the players shortlisted for a potential exit this summer.
As they look to recoup much of the £42 million spent on the 25-year-old this summer, Amorim could give the Red Devils a much-needed financial boost.
AC Milan Want Manuel Ugarte
According to the report from The Mirror, Amorim is looking at a potential move for Ugarte this summer, with the hopes of reuniting at AC Milan.
It’s stated that Man United have slapped a £30 million price tag on the midfielder, as they hope to land a decent fee to move him on three years before the end of his contract.
As it stands, the Rossoneri are currently unwilling to match that demand, but talks are planned so that the two clubs can reach a compromise to get a deal over the line.
There is some hope that a positive World Cup for Ugarte, who is featuring for Uruguay in North America this summer, will help the Red Devils in their case to get a strong fee for him.
It remains to be seen whether that will be the case, but any move is likely to free up funds for the club to go back into the market for even better options.
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Man United’s Midfield Refresh
A transfer exit for Ugarte could help get the midfield refresh at Manchester United firmly underway, replacing a wantaway star with some quality.
Ederson’s move from Atalanta is already agreed in a huge boost for the position, while talks are continuing over the signing of Mateus Fernandes from West Ham.
At least two additions to the central ranks are expected, but an exit for Ugarte for a strong fee could free up funds to add a third midfielder who could make all the difference.
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Links have continued for the likes of Alex Scott and Carlos Baleba, who may emerge as strong candidates later in the transfer window.
It remains to be seen if that is possible, especially with interest for a new left-back, backup goalkeeper, and a forward of some description before the window closes.
Sports
Why Tuchel Didn’t Call Up Trent Alexander-Arnold to Replace Tino Livramento
Thomas Tuchel has again decided against calling up Trent Alexander-Arnold to England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, and his reasons for doing so have emerged.
The Real Madrid defender was excluded from England’s 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament in May, with the likes of Reece James, Djed Spence and Tino Livramento preferred.
Livramento had to withdraw from England’s squad just days before the Three Lions’ opener against Croatia after suffering a calf injury in training.
Tuchel again decided against calling up Trent to replace the Newcastle defender, instead bringing Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah into the fold.
Why Tuchel Decided Against Calling Up Trent Alexander-Arnold
Many football fans questioned Tuchel’s decision to leave out Alexander-Arnold when he initially named his squad, and many are baffled they have overlooked him again.
Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett has now explained the two reasons why the Real Madrid defender, considered one of the best right-backs in the world, was not called up.
He said: “There will be a lot of England fans and pundits saying ‘why not Trent Alexander-Arnold?’ – that’s a question Tuchel will be asked.
“It’s my understanding there are two reasons why it wouldn’t be Alexander-Arnold – firstly, we don’t know where he is. Could the England logistics teams get him here in time before the deadline?
“Also, Tuchel has left some big names out of this squad, Cole Palmer, Harry Maguire and Phil Foden. He didn’t want to bring them if they weren’t going to be guaranteed game time. So the England manager may have had concerns about bringing in a superstar like Alexander-Arnold if he was going to spend time sitting on the bench.”
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World Cup History Quiz
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Thomas Tuchel Explains Reasons For Calling Up Chalobah
Tuchel has now addressed Livramento’s injury and explained why he decided to replace him with Chalobah.
He said: “Tino was of course very disappointed and sad. All of us were. It was a bit of a shock when he had to stop training and he had a feeling that this could be an injury that could cost him the tournament. He was unfortunately right after assessment.
“We got the information that it’s about four or five weeks, which is unfortunately too long to keep on rebuilding and reintegrating him into the squad. We took the decision to send him home, which is disappointing.
“We called Trevoh Chalobah, because we can free up Jarell Quansah as a full-back on both sides. Djed Spence can play as a full-back on both sides. Trevoh comes as a centre-back alternative, which gives us full coverage in the back four.”
England get their 2026 World Cup campaign underway on Wednesday evening when they take on Croatia at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
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