Verdict: Ethan Nwaneri over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
In what is a heavyweight Premier League showdown on Sunday afternoon, Arsenal will travel to Old Trafford when they meet historic rivals Manchester United.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, missing out on the chance to claim a Europa League first-leg advantage on Thursday evening as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate away at Real Sociedad, Manchester United have drastically failed to find any kind of stability. While there might have been plenty of excitement around Old Trafford back in November following Ruben Amorim’s arrival, the Red Devils are firmly stuck in the bottom-half of the Premier League table. Although United might have signed off February with an action-packed 3-2 victory against relegation scrappers Ipswich, that is the only win that Amorim’s men have collected from any of their previous five appearances across all competitions. Crashing out of the FA Cup last weekend after suffering penalty shootout heartbreak at the hands of Fulham, United will have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders here.
Manchester United Team News
Dealing with what has become an injury crisis at Old Trafford, Manchester United will once again be without the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and former Chelsea star Mason Mount. Likewise, missing out away at Real Sociedad earlier in the week, England international Harry Maguire remains a doubt.
Shown a straight red card against Ipswich on February 26th, January recruit Patrick Dorgu will miss out through suspension. Finding the net in Spain on Thursday evening and notching a maiden Europa League goal of the season, Joshua Zirkzee should keep his spot from the start.
Arsenal
As for the visitors, putting in what was a sensational Champions League performance in midweek as they cruised their way to a 7-1 romp away at Dutch outfit PSV, Arsenal will be looking for a repeat display here. However, mustering just a single win from any of their previous four meetings against Premier League opposition, Mikel Arteta’s side have seen their title dreams take a critical blow over the past month. Getting this weekend’s fixtures underway sat 13 points adrift of runaway leaders Liverpool, the Gunners will simply be looking to claim some domestic stability. Although Arsenal might have watched their respective FA Cup adventure come to an end on January 12th as they suffered penalties frustration at home against Manchester United, they do hold a dominant Premier League record against their historic rivals. In fact, Arteta’s men have won all of their last four top-flight showdowns by an aggregate score of 9-3.
Arsenal Team News
All still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Arsenal will once again be without the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and former Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus. Likewise, the Gunners have already confirmed that ex-Chelsea star Kai Havertz will not feature over the remainder of the season.
Finding the net away at PSV in midweek and now notching three goals in his last four appearances across all competitions, Mikel Merino will once again be deployed in a false nine role. After serving a one-match ban away at Nottingham Forest last weekend, 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly will return to Arteta’s squad.
Manchester United vs Arsenal Key Factors to Consider
- When Manchester United and Arsenal met for an FA Cup showdown on January 12th, the Red Devils collected a nail-biting penalties victory in north London.
- However, the Gunners have won each of their last four Premier League meetings against Man United by an aggregate score of 9-3.
- Arsenal have suffered just a single domestic defeat away from the Emirates since returning from November’s international break.
- Manchester United have recorded just a single win from any of their last five appearances across all competitions.
- The Red Devils have failed to notch a single clean sheet at Old Trafford since the start of December.
Conclusion
Storming their way to a sensational 7-1 romp away at PSV earlier in the week, Arsenal will be desperately seeking a repeat performance here. Looking to claim some immediate revenge following on from their FA Cup heartbreak back on January 12th, Arteta’s men will be excited by a dominant Premier League record against their historic rivals. Winning all of their previous four top-flight battles by an aggregate score of 9-3, Arsenal should be excited by a trip to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. With Manchester United still enduring what has been a public struggle, the Red Devils will have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders.
Verdict: Ethan Nwaneri over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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