By Graham Ruthven
A tale of two rivals
Every clash between Arsenal and Manchester United evokes memories of the days when the two rivals went head-to-head for titles and trophies. Indeed, the era of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger remains a spectre around this fixture.
Of course, a lot has changed since then, certainly in the case of United who are targeting a positive end to the season merely to lift the negativity that has thickened the air at Old Trafford in recent times.
Rúben Amorim’s team have lost five of their last seven league home matches and face a sixth defeat in eight against an Arsenal team that might not win the title this season, but are at least at the right end of the Premier League table.
The Gunners have their own troubles to contend with, namely injuries to a number of key attacking players, but Mikel Arteta’s team put seven past PSV mid-week and will play on the front foot at Old Trafford. They need three points to keep their fading title hopes alive.
Key players
Where would Amorim’s team be without Bruno Fernandes? From a Manchester United perspective, it doesn’t bear thinking about. Indeed, the Portuguese midfielder has frequently been The Red Devils’ saviour this season, most recently scoring against Fulham and Everton.
Alejandro Garnacho is the other attacker United have who consistently provides a spark in the final third, although the Argentine winger is a doubt for Sunday’s match after coming off early against Real Sociedad with a knock.
Diogo Dalot will give the home team a funnel into the attack down the left side while Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro will likely make up the back three. They will be charged with stopping an Arsenal attack that ran rampant against PSV.
Arteta may well re-use the lineup that started in the Netherlands, not least because injuries mean he doesn’t have many other options to make changes.
The onus will be on Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice to join attacks from midfield, although Ethan Nwaneri has impressed recently as Arsenal’s first-choice right-sided forward in the absence of Bukayo Saka.
Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba remain the strongest centre back pairing in the Premier League while David Raya is one of the best goalkeepers. Arsenal’s defensive foundation is as solid as ever.
Team news
Patrick Dorgu is unavailable for Sunday’s match through suspension following his red card against Ipswich Town. This means Dalot will almost certainly start as the left-sided wing back in Amorim’s system.
Maguire and Manuel Ugarte both missed the Europa League draw against Real Sociedad during the week and will be assessed before facing Arsenal. Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martínez, Jonny Evans and Amad Diallo will miss out, but Chido Obi could face his former side.
Arsenal’s recent injury troubles have been well-documented and they won’t ease before Sunday. Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all sidelined.
Prediction
Arsenal to inflict another weekend of misery on United, but only just: Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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