It’s one of the biggest clashes of the season so far and the headliner for this weekend’s Super Sunday – the clash of the sleeping giants, it’s Arsenal vs. Manchester United. It’s going to be both of the teams’ eighth match of the league season.
Arsenal have endured another, well, Arsenal-esque start to the season. They sit in sixth spot in the league, only three points behind league leaders (before coming into the weekend’s football) and upcoming opponents Manchester United. It’s been mixed in England’s top-tier for the Gunners, only winning four of their first seven Premier League games, but it’s proved to be an acceptable platform to build upon for the campaign. Arsenal’s faring in Europe’s biggest competition had been far from acceptable however. Their first two matches, against who were at first decided as the group’s whipping boys, have resulted in zero points gained. This included last Tuesday’s 3-2 home defeat to Olympiacos. Now, with back to back matches against giants Bayern Munich coming up, there is a very real possibility that Arsenal will go into matchday five with zero points to their name, and only realistically a Europa League third place spot to fight for – a competition which very well may derail Arsenal’s league campaign in the latter stages due to the increased congestion.
Looking back to last Tuesday, it was a case of poor defending that cost Arsenal on this occasion. Whilst the likes of Alexis Sánchez and Theo Walcott linked up superbly, comical defending especially by the likes of Kieran Gibbs and Per Mertesacker resulted in a depressing night for Gooners. Another problem was the base of the midfield – the Cazorla-Coquelin pivot is declining massively and its usefulness is running low. Something Wenger will have to consider is bringing Aaron Ramsey into a more central role instead, due to his performances in that area against Tottenham and Olympiacos. A lot to ponder on for Wenger going into today’s game – it remains to be seen whether he’ll make the right choice.
It’s been a largely positive time for Manchester United, however. Going into this gameweek, they were at pole position, and they can reclaim this spot with a win today. Players like Juan Mata, Chris Smalling, Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind have been the unlikely heroes this season, as their transition period following the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson is coming to an end. The signing of Anthony Martial will definitely pose a threat to Arsenal – whilst being a raw talent, he packs a composed manner with speed to burn, something Per Mertesacker will be very fearful of. The Red Devils managed a win in their last Champions League game against Wolfsburg, so the team is clicking well and will pose an obvious threat to Arsenal – a threat which will test if Arsenal still have genuine title credentials this year.
A player Arsenal will want to watch out for is just that man – Anthony Martial. He’s the man in form and has the potential to test all the components of the Arsenal defence. Pace, power and being able to get in-between the lines well, if the Gunners let him in a scoring position he’ll make them pay for it. A player Arsenal were linked with this summer, and one they may regret not pursuing.
A player Manchester United will want to watch out for is Alexis Sanchez (once again!). The Chilean has got four goals in his last two games, and once you get him going he just doesn’t stop. Considering that the talented Matteo Darmian will most likely be playing on the left flank today, Sanchez’s opposing man will more likely than not be Antonio Valencia, a man who United fans love to hate. Alexis should have a field day on his flank and hopefully that can turn into a difference maker on the day.
Match Prediction
The last time these two met was in a Premier League match last season, in a 1-1 draw away at Old Trafford. It was quite an even match, with the scoreline being very reflective of the performances given. The same could come of this game – evenly matched, with no team sneaking away with it. Arsenal-Manchester United is a match decided by difference makers, it’s more likely than not those very players won’t turn up and it will be the job of the lesser players to get their team in amongst it. A 1-1 draw is how this will pan out.
Team News
A couple more absentees for Arsène Wenger to handle. Obviously there is the usual with Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky being out, but the French gaffer also said that Laurent Koscielny will be out for three weeks with a hamstring strain picked up in the 3-2 defeat to Olympiacos and that defensive midfielders Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta will also be unavailable. Francis Coquelin returns for team selection however.
For United, Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo are out with leg and hamstring injuries respectively, whilst Ander Herrera and Paddy McNair are doubts for the game.
Predicted XIs:
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Monreal; Cazorla, Coquelin; Ramsey, Özil, Alexis; Walcott.
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Blind, Darmain; Carrick, Schneiderlin; Mata, Rooney, Depay; Martial.
