The Manchester United and Arsenal punters can be regularly found here in the Transfer Tavern having some light-hearted banter with each other, particularly at this time of the season when the campaign starts to reach the business end.
The rivalry between the two has been red-hot since the nineties when the two great clubs used to stand toe-to-toe, and do battle for the Premier League trophy on an annual basis.
Things aren’t quite at that point anymore but still the rivalry exists, and talk in the Tavern this evening has turned to who would make a combined best eleven of the two clubs.
With Arsenal doing battle for the title this season and Manchester United fighting to stay in contention for a top four place, the debate as to who should make the team is certainly an interesting one.
Our writer Lee Clarke gave his opinion on who would be selected in an Arsenal and Manchester United XI…..
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE BEST COMBINED XI!
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GK – Petr Cech
A tough call between Cech and the Manchester United number one David de Gea, but the Czech Republic international is getting the nod based on his experience.
Cech has been there, done it and got the t-shirt during his time with Chelsea and he has taken his form to Arsenal, who are in with a great shout to win the league for the first time in years.
The value of a good goalkeeper should never be underestimated and at £10 million, Cech could well be the bargain of the 2015/16 campaign.
Won all that there was to win during his time with the Blues and is still seen as one of Europe’s top stoppers.
RB – Hector Bellerin
An absolute no contest based on the fact that Manchester United do not really have a regular right-back at present.
The little Spaniard has pace to burn and is now comfortably one of the best in the Premier League in his position.
What I like about the 20-year-old is that he bombs forward but never forgets his defensive responsibilities which can sometimes be rare with the younger players.
Clearly has a bright future and on current form has to be considered one of the best right-sided defenders in the league.
CB – Laurent Koscielny
The strapping French central defender would be one of Europe’s top defenders, if it wasn’t for his constant injury niggles that he seems unable to stay clear from.
He has done well this season to build up a solid run in the Gunners side and he has contributed to the team’s decent fist at a title challenge.
The Frenchman will be hoping to stay clear of injury from now until the summer as he will be hopeful of playing in Euro 2016 which takes place in his home country.
The 30-year-old has adhered himself to Arsenal fans over the years and has played close to 200 times for the Gunners.
CB – Chris Smalling
If this team had been selected last season then the ex-Fulham defender would have been lucky to have made the bench, but how times can change.
Smalling has worked hard on his game and started to fulfil the potential that Sir Alex Ferguson said he had when he signed him for United back in 2010.
His run of form has been timed to perfection too with the Euro’s just around the corner and on current form he will be one of the first names on the team sheet for England boss Roy Hodgson.
LB – Luke Shaw
Despite being injured for the majority of this season, Shaw is still the best option for the left-back berth in this team.
Whilst Nacho Monreal has been in great form this season, he still isn’t up to Shaw’s standards when both are fit and the ex-Southampton man has a really bright future ahead of him.
The 20-year-old was just beginning to show the sort of form that tempted United into paying £30 million for him, before his cruel leg break suffered against PSV in September.
He has been sorely missed by Manchester United and boss Louis van Gaal will be praying for a quick return to fitness for the youngster.
CM – Michael Carrick
Despite being 34-years-old Carrick is still a dangerous player when he is on top form and he has been a big loss to United this season.
He has now returned to full fitness and will be hoping for a run in the side as he bids to gatecrash the travelling England party for Euro 2016.
A superb ball carrier, Carrick uses possession wisely and can be rarely found wasting the ball, utilising it cleverly.
Still a major player for United and offers vital experience to a relatively young group of players.
CM – Francis Coquelin
The 24-year-old burst onto the scene during last season after an impressive loan spell in the Championship with Charlton Athletic.
So impressive were his performances that boss Arsene Wenger called him back from the Addicks and thrust him straight into the Gunners’ first-team, where he has made a lasting impression.
Has missed a large chunk of this season through injury but isn’t far from full fitness and the Gunners will hope to have him available for their title run-in.
A holding midfielder who breaks play up with ease, Coquelin is set for a bright future in the Premier League.
AMR – Alexis Sanchez
Arguably the standout player of last season in the Premier League, Sanchez has been desperately missed by the Gunners at times during this season.
Sanchez has the complete package. He offers goals, blistering pace and a real desire to beat a man and get the ball in the opposition box.
You would have to say that Sanchez staying fit between now and the end of the season could have a big say in whether or not Arsenal can claim their first Premier League title for 11 years.
With Sanchez still only 27-years-old, Arsenal look to have secured the Chilean ahead of his very best years.
AMC – Mesut Ozil
Difficult to decide between the former Real Madrid man and United playmaker Juan Mata, but Ozil’s form this season gives him the nod in this team.
The German World Cup winner has come in for some criticism in previous seasons but he has really stepped up to the plate during the 2015/16 campaign.
He is close to breaking Thierry Henry’s record for most assists in a single Premier League season and his form has been irresistible at times.
Arsenal signed the 27-year-old for £42.5 million and he is starting to prove that he was worth every penny right now.
AML – Anthony Martial
Not strictly speaking a left-winger but it is a position he has grown to excel in for Louis van Gaal’s team this season.
The Frenchman has been tipped for a bright future in the game and will need to fulfil his potential given the hefty fee that United parted with to secure his services.
The 20-year-old offers superb pace, a keen eye for goal and an instinctive persona inside the 18-yard box, which will probably see him play more central for United in years to come.
Similar options for the Gunners would include Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but Martial has the edge on both of those.
ST – Wayne Rooney
Rooney or Olivier Giroud is probably the most difficult decision to make, but I am plumping for the ex-Everton man.
The 30-year-old has been heavily criticised in the past for some below-par performances but this season he has really excelled for United, when they have needed him most.
At times I think people forget that he has played Premier League football for 14 consecutive years and we should really cut the guy some slack.
The 14 goals he has notched in all competitions so far this season suggest that the all-time leading England goalscorer is far from finished.
