England Premier League
Monday 30th September 2019
Kick off at 8pm BST
Venue: Old Trafford
Match Preview:
Twenty years ago Manchester United and Arsenal was by far the biggest fixture in English football, simply because these teams were the only ones capable of winning the league.
Though the last decade has hardly been the clubs’ most glorious era both retain the big club name tag, and along with their history and expectations, both still command interest and viewing figures.
The history between the teams is one of legend of course, the psychological battles between managers Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson will long live in the memory and the midfield duels of Partick Vieira and Roy Keane too. But let’s take a step away from that and concentrate on the now.
Manchester United are in need of a win here, possibly more so than Arsenal given their recent poor form. United looked toothless when they lost 2-0 away to West Ham in their last Premier League match and that was followed up by the Carabao Cup game with Rochdale. At home the Red Devils could only draw 1-1 with the League One side. Though United did advance on penalties, which was, in the end, massive for them, one needs to look at that 90 minute result which does not bode well for the club.
United come into this game in 11th place and if they were to lose would be 10 points behind Liverpool already. Victory over Leicester is the clubs only win in their last five games. At home they have played 3 games, beating Chelsea and Leicester but losing to Crystal Palace. On the bright side things can change quick for the side and if they won this game they could go as far as 5th depending on the score.
It feels as though Arsenal have had a sluggish start to the season and yet if they were to win at Old Trafford they would be just 2 points behind Manchester City. The Gunners though simply haven’t looked utterly convincing even if they are achieving some positive results. They do come into this game on a 3 match unbeaten run. Their last fixture was a 3-2 win over Aston Villa where they clutched victory from the jaws of defeat, being 2-1 down in the closing stages and being a man down too.
In Arsene Wenger’s final years with the club the Gunners really struggled on the road and it seems that the same could be said of Unai Emery too. They have won one game from the three played so far. Their last two away matches have been a 3-1 loss to Liverpool and a 2-2 draw at Watford, with the Watford result being disappointing given that the club were 2-0 up at half time against the team in bottom place.
Team News:
Manchester United: Diogo Dalot looks set to miss this game with a knock and instead he is being pencilled in to return next week for the teams Europa League tie. Angel Gomes is out with a knock also, Phil Jones has a muscle injury and won’t be back until mid October at the earliest. Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba are struggling with Pogba at 50/50 to play but Rashford has a groin injury and almost certainly looks out. Anthony Martial is out until next month with his thigh and Luke Shaw has recovered from his hamstring injury of last month but will be assessed ahead of this game
Arsenal: The Gunners have no new injuries coming into this game with only Alexandre Lacazette a regular missing from the team due to his ankle injury. He won’t be back into contention until after the international break
Man Utd vs Arsenal Head to Head:
Last season this fixture ended 2-2.
Arsenal have not won at Old Trafford in the league since 2006.
There is a 60% chance to see over 2.5 goals.
There is a 70% chance that both teams will score.
Man Utd vs Arsenal Prediction:
Manchester United had a very early season test against a potential top six rival in Chelsea on the opening weekend of the season at Old Trafford, they passed with flying colours winning 4-0. That result as good as it was can now be seen as a fluke, and one can wonder with all validity that it wouldn’t repeat if the teams were meeting now. United now are facing another top six rival and are evidently in for a tough game.
The injury list is growing for United and if Rashford and Pogba are both missing, the club are in serious problems. With Martial already out they are relying to heavily on the talented but young Daniel James to get them out of trouble up front.
Arsenal have a full squad, they are a little naive at the back but this is a genuine opportunity to win at Old Trafford for the first time in 13 years. The key will be controlling midfield, and there is little to suggest that Emery’s men can’t do this. There is also little to suggest that this United defence can keep Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang quiet. We will go with Arsenal to get something from this game.
Man Utd vs Arsenal Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (0.0 Arsenal) at 2.075
Anytime goalscorer: Pierre Emerick Aubameyang at 2.25
Highest Scoring Half: 2nd half at 1.91
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