MIKEL ARTETA left summer signing Christian Norgaard out of his squad against Manchester United.

Arsenal travelled to Old Trafford with several first-team players absent.

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Norgaard, who joined the Gunners for £10million this summer, was missing, despite being ever-present in pre-season.

It is possible the Dane has a knock as he has not been seen in training this week.

Arteta instead started another newboy, Martin Zubimendi, alongside Declan Rice in midfield.

While Mikel Merino was named as the sole midfielder on the bench, although Myles Lewis-Skelly can play there too.

Several exiled players were also excluded from the squad, with many made available for transfer.

Reiss Nelson, Jakub Kiwior, Fabio Vieira are amongst those who are expected to leave in the next few days.

They could be joined out of the exit door by Albert Sambi Lokonga and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who have also fallen out of Arteta’s plans.

Arsenal did not miss Norgaard as Rice curled in a corner to set up the opener.

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United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir got a hand to the ball but he could only help it goalwards, and Riccardo Calafiori was on hand to add a final touch on the line.

Viktor Gyokeres also made his Arsenal debut following his £60million arrival.