Manchester United take on Arsenal at Old Trafford this weekend in the Premier League, with both sides harboring realistic hopes of a top-four finish.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports.
It may be early days in the Premier League but neither side will want to lose, with the Reds languishing down in 15th with a game in hand and the north Londoners in 10th spot.
Who will come out on top? Find out what our Editor thinks.
English Premier League
Sunday 1 November – 18:30
Old Trafford
To Win Match
Man United 23/20 | Draw 51/20 | Arsenal 23/10
Manchester United
After a goalless draw against Chelsea last weekend, Manchester United have experienced their worst home start to a campaign since 1972/73 – the last time they failed to win any of their opening three league games at Old Trafford. They’re also five games without a win at home, their longest run since February 1990 when they were winless in six.
The Reds will be determined to secure their first home victory against Arsenal this Sunday, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer eyeing his first win over Mikel Arteta. The coaches have faced each other just once, with the Spaniard coming out on top as the north Londoners won 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on New Year’s Day.
Despite their poor form at Old Trafford this season, United have a great home record against Arsenal, and after seeing Leicester City hand Arteta’s side their third defeat of the season, Solskjaer’s men will be confident of putting Arsenal to the sword.
United seem to be slowly finding their rhythm. They did incredibly well to beat Paris Saint-Germain at their own backyard and had it not been for Edouard Mendy’s fine performance, they would have beaten Chelsea and clinched their first home win.
Arsenal
Following a dispiriting 1-0 defeat at home to Leicester City, Arsenal have now lost three of their last four matches in the Premier League with Arteta desperate to turn things around. United’s poor home form will give the Gunners hope of claiming a much-needed win, but the north Londoners have been shocking on their travels.
Arteta’s side have lost four of their last five Premier League games away from home stretching back into last season, with their only win on the road against bottom side Fulham. Even more worryingly, the Gunners haven’t won a league match at Old Trafford since 2006 when they won 1-0 thanks to an 86th-minute Emmanuel Adebayor goal.
For all the quality Arsenal have had and currently have, their away record in big games is alarming. You’d have to go all the way back to the 2014/15 season to see the last time they beat a ‘big six’ team away from home in the Premier League – a 2-0 victory over Manchester City.
Arsenal certainly have the quality to change that. Players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Thomas Partey and Bernd Leno would start for most top clubs in Europe, but United have added world-class talent too and the north Londoners will need to be at their best if they are to snatch a point, let alone three.
Verdict: Manchester United (23/20)
Despite what the league table says, Manchester United look a better team at the moment with Arsenal struggling for form and Aubameyang going through a dry patch. With Edinson Cavani and Alex Telles expected to be involved from the start for Solskjaer’s side, United should finally get their first home win of the campaign and they’ll take great delight on piling further misery on their rivals.
Written by Chad Nagel for Hollywoodbets.
