Verdict: Arsenal win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 21/20
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
In what is a heavyweight Premier League showdown on Sunday afternoon, Arsenal will welcome historic rivals Manchester United to north London.
Arsenal
Starting with the hosts, extending on their record-breaking Champions League romp earlier in the week as they stormed their way to a sensational 3-1 romp away at Italian giants Inter Milan, Arsenal are in the midst of what has become a real fairytale. Despite eventually being forced to settle for a downbeat 0-0 stalemate away at relegation scrappers Nottingham Forest last weekend, the Gunners hold a commanding seven-point buffer at the top of the table and they are universally regarded as a landslide contender to get their hands on a first domestic crown since way back in 2004. Gaining a fearsome reputation from across the continent, Arsenal will be looking to collect another heavyweight scalp when they return to north London on Sunday afternoon. It should also be highlighted, Mikel Arteta’s men have registered 29 points from their 11 Premier League showdowns at the Emirates so far this season.
Arsenal Team News
Both dealing with respective injury issues and once again missing out away at Inter Milan in midweek, Arsenal will be unable to call upon the defensive duo of Ricardo Calafiori and summer recruit Piero Hincapie here. Handed a full rest at the San Siro on Tuesday night, skipper Martin Odegaard should be handed a full recall.
Bagging a sensational Champions League brace away in Milan, former Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus will be hoping to keep his spot from the start. Recently returning from a long-term knee injury, German international Kai Havertz could make a first Premier League appearance since back in August.
Manchester United
As for the visitors, while Michael Carrick might have only made his shock return to the Old Trafford dugout last week, the former Middlesbrough boss got his temporary tenure underway with a famous performance on home soil. More than deserving of Manchester bragging rights as they secured a 2-0 victory against their local arch-rivals, the Red Devils will be dreaming of a repeat performance here. However, with some essential stability at the top of Carrick’s agenda, United face what is a stern examination when they travel to the capital this weekend. Hit with a 1-0 loss when they welcomed the Gunners to Old Trafford for their reverse Premier League showdown back on August 17th, they have also clinched just one-point from any of their previous six top-flight battles against Arsenal.
Manchester United Team News
Not featuring since the end of November and still dealing with a back issue, Manchester United are once again expected to be without Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt here. However, despite suffering AFCON heartbreak with Morocco last weekend, former Bayern Munich star Noussair Mazraoui could return to Carrick’s travelling squad.
Marking his respective AFCON return with a strike in the Manchester derby last week, summer recruit Bryan Mbeumo will lead the line in north Lonond. Likewise, getting on the scoresheet at Old Trafford and recording a second Premier League strike of the season, Patrick Dorgu should once again be deployed in a more advanced role.
Arsenal vs Manchester United Key Factors to Consider
- When Arsenal and Manchester United met for their reverse Premier League showdown on August 17th, the Gunners collected a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.
- Arsenal have registered 16 points from their previous six Premier League meetings against Man United.
- The Gunners have recorded 29 points from their 11 Premier League showdowns at the Emirates so far this season.
- The Red Devils have failed to record a single clean sheet away from Old Trafford so far this season.
- Each of the last five meetings between Arsenal and Manchester United have finished with under 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
While Carrick might have got his return to Old Trafford underway with a famous 2-0 victory in the Manchester derby, United are set for what will certainly be a far sterner examination in the capital. Watching Arsenal storm their way to a stunning 3-1 romp away at Inter Milan in midweek as they extended on their 100% Champions League record, Sunday’s hosts will be looking to make another statement here. Opening this weekend’s fixtures holding a commanding seven-point buffer at the top of the Premier League table, they also hold a dominant record against their historic foes.
Verdict: Arsenal win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 21/20
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
