TEAMS ANNOUNCED: Depleted Arsenal team as Sir Alex keeps the faith

With Arsenal in town Sir Alex had a big decision to make, stick with this young team that has been impressing everyone or bring experience back in.

We spoke about the implications of his team selection in this week’s podcast and Sir Alex has given a resounding vote of confidence to his young players by carrying on with the team that beat Tottenham on Monday.

Thankfully there is a return for Rio Ferdinand but he will have to make do with a place on the bench as Jones and Evans continue in the heart of the defence.

Starting XI: de Gea; Smalling, Jones, Evans, Evra; Nani, Cleverley, Anderson, Young; Rooney, Welbeck

Subs: Ferdinand, Berbatov, Giggs, Park, Fabio, Lindegaard, Hernandez

Arsenal XI: Szczesny; Jenkinson, Koscielny, Djourou, Traore; Ramsey, Coquelin, Walcott, Rosicky, Arshavin; Van Persie