Arsenal vs. Manchester United: How the Gunners Should Line Up in EPL Game

Arsenal face off against Manchester United on Saturday in one of the biggest games in both clubs' seasons.

Both clubs have been equally disappointing this season, and they have just about the same number of points: Arsenal's 17 puts them in sixth place, just above United who are in seventh with 16.

In fact, the two former giants have had parallel trajectories this season.

Both have had to deal with a ludicrous, at times comical, spate of injuries that have devastated their respective defenses. Both are top-loaded with world-class attacking talent and both have managers who are desperately grasping for solutions.

Both also hope to qualify for the Champions League, which is why this is a typical "six-point game."

There's also, of course, the matter of the storied rivalry that exists between the two clubs. Although Arsenal have not truly challenged for the title for several years (excluding last year) and Sir Alex Ferguson is no longer in charge of the Red Devils, there is always some animus between two of the most historic clubs in England.

Both managers will have quite a lot on their minds as their players return from international duty and are evaluated for fitness and sharpness.

Here's how Arsenal should line up, considering all the information we currently have about the squad:

via lineupbuilder.com

Arsenal's success will largely hinge on the performance of the back four, which will be tasked with stopping Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Angel Di Maria (if fit) and Juan Mata.

That is why it is essential that Wenger starts Hector Bellerin at right back and Calum Chambers in central defense. The boss has put Chambers on the right in recent matches and Nacho Monreal in the middle, but the Englishman is not quick enough to handle fast wingers on his own and the Spaniard does not have the stature of a central defender.

Bellerin will be the most inexperienced player in the team by a decent margin, but he performed well against Borussia Dortmund earlier this season and has done well in the other opportunities he's been given. He is also much quicker than Chambers and thus a more natural right back.

In midfield, Mikel Arteta must start if he is fit enough to make the bench. Mathieu Flamini has not been up to par this season, and he simply does not offer enough going forward. Arsenal need Arteta to set the tempo for the rest of the team, and they look totally disjointed without their captain.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Wenger has tried to use Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey in the same midfield on more than one occasion this season, and he will have the opportunity to do so on Saturday.

His other options include Tomas Rosicky, Santi Cazorla and putting Arteta in a more forward role. But he has been extremely reluctant to use Rosicky, Cazorla is in awful form and Arteta would better help the team in a more defensive position.

So Ramsey will be able to simplify his game by playing the pivot role and consequently not feeling like he has to shoulder the creative burden. Ramsey needs to get back to basics, and this is one way to get him to do so.

It also allows Wilshere to operate in his more natural creative role, where he has not had much time this season.

Alexis Sanchez is guaranteed to start on the right wing, but the more difficult decision for Wenger is whether to put Cazorla or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the left wing.

Unless the manager sees some drastic improvement from Cazorla during the team's limited training time this week, he has to start the Ox. Cazorla has been in terrible form of late, and Oxlade-Chamberlain is the only player in the team, aside from Alexis, who looks like scoring.

Speaking of which, this will be an excellent opportunity for Danny Welbeck to break his scoreless streak. His former club's decimated defense should be easily overcome, and Welbeck will not want for opportunities.

He will have to start getting back to his best relatively soon, as Olivier Giroud is now fit again and will probably be on the bench for this game. With Theo Walcott almost ready to start again as well, it's crunch time for Arsenal's forwards.

Follow @charliemelman