The 30-year-old had been deployed as an inverted right-back in each of the Gunners' three opening league outings this term. But the Ghana FA then confirmed that Partey had suffered a groin injury in training, leaving him out of Chris Hughton's squad for the upcoming international break.
Their statement read: "Arsenal ace Thomas Partey is left out of the squad due to injury. According to his club, the player picked up an injury in training and could be on the sidelines for a while, however the Black Stars medical teams is monitoring the situation."
A follow-up statement also added: "He sustained a groin injury during training on Thursday, August 31, 2023. He is currently unavailable as Club Doctors predict he's likely to be out for a couple of weeks."
That leaves Mikel Arteta will a selection headache ahead of the aforementioned fixture against United, with the best option undoubtedly to go back to last season's backline. This would mean reintroducing Gabriel Magalhaes to the starting line-up, with the Brazilian centre-half yet to start a league game so far this term.
Gabriel would be partnered by William Saliba in central defence whilst Ben White would shift across to right-back and Oleksandr Zinchenko come in at left-back. Aaron Ramsdale should continue in goal whilst Declan Rice would of course anchor the midfield, having arguably been Arsenal's most consistent performer across their opening three games.Club captain Martin Odegaard should be deployed as the right-sided number eight which leaves Arteta with a decision on who would start as the left-sided central midfielder. Kai Havertz has been chosen so far this season but the German international's subpar performance against Fulham last week, combined with the fact that Fabio Vieira played so well off the bench, means that it should probably be the latter who gets the nod against United.
Arsenal's wing pairing of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli picks itself but Arteta has another tough choice on his hands when it comes to the starting centre-forward. Gabriel Jesus is now fully fit following his knee injury, coming on as a late substitute against the Cottagers last Saturday.
Jesus is the Gunners' most well-rounded striker but Eddie Nketiah's red-hot form is too good to ignore this time. The Hale End academy graduate has netted two times already this term whilst also winning a penalty during the 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace.
To make his argument to start even more convincing, the 23-year-old netted a brace against United back in January as the north Londoners secured a last-gasp 3-2 win.
Arsenal's best starting XI to face United: Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Fabio Vieira; Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah,Gabriel Martinelli
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