SKY SPORTS PUNDIT and ex-Arsenal player Paul Merson has revealed his best United-Gunners combined starting XI ahead of the sides’ clash tonight.

There are some notable omissions in Merson’s team, including Angel di Maria, Juan Mata and Mesut Ozil.

And the Gunners legend said that picking the best players from both sides was not an easy task.

“I normally find it really easy to pick a combined starting line-up but it was actually incredibly difficult due to their inconsistencies, especially choosing who would play in defence,” he told Sky Sports.

“It sums it up for both back fours that I’d consider Michael Carrick as one of the best centre-backs but Rojo edges him as a slightly better defender.”

Merson’s combined XI: David de Gea; Kieran Gibbs, Marcos Rojo, Laurent Koscielny, Antonio Valencia; Santi Cazorla, Daley Blind, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain; Alexis Sanchez, Wayne Rooney; Olivier Giroud.

Do you agree with Merson’s combined XI? Let us know in the comments section below.

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