This Sunday’s showdown will give us insight and answers to the questions football fans are asking, will Antony feature and start to repay his £82m transfer fee? Can Arsenal reel off their sixth consecutive PL victory? Are Manchester United really on the up as they seek to improve upon a sluggish start? This game has the potential to be an absolute classic. With Goals, cards, and controversies between these two in the past, this one has all the ingredients no football fan will want to miss.
United’s last two away wins at Southampton and Leicester were hardly headline-making performances, but what they did represent was the steady progress that is being made under Ten Hag. Substitute Casemiro has been introduced to both games to help see out the wins, and is pushing for a starting place alongside Fernandes and Eriksen in United’s midfield. This game will give us huge insight into the progress made over the last three weeks.
As Arsenal haven’t drawn in their previous 30 games, they’re definitely overdue one, and they’d probably be happy taking a point away from Old Trafford. It would also extend their unbeaten record so far this season, adding to their maximum points total and their +9 goal difference. A point would cement their credentials as Champions League hopefuls, and is a realistic aim for the Gunners this weekend.
From the 60 PL H2Hs that have gone before, United have 25 wins in total to Arsenal’s 17 with 18 draws. 60% BTTS record over the last 20 H2Hs. United hold a poor home record over Arsenal, having only beaten them 4 times in the past 10 matches, with the Gunners winning twice and 4 draws.
Key stats
* Arsenals 30 games without a draw
* United’s 3-match win run
* 60% BTTS over last 10 & 20 previous H2Hs
* Arsenal’s 5 match-win run
* Arsenal have scored 44 times in the last 14 matches
Whichever way this goes, it’ll be entertaining for the neutral, and with the attacking prowess, both sides possess, I can see goals galore and the spoils being shared in what could be a game that’s replayed for years to come… Rashford, Fernandes, Jesus and Odegaard (if fit) all look the most likely scorers. With Varane and Saliba, good bets to score from set pieces.
