Not too long ago, to be honest, the rivalry between Manchester United and Arsenal was considered the greatest in the Premier League, especially when the two coaches were the caliber of Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. Today, however, there are 21 points between the two teams after 27 league games: while the Gunners are desperately trying to stay in the running for the title despite the 13 points that separate them from Liverpool at the top of the table, the Red Devils are mired in the lower part of the table, a long way from the Europa zone.
The only “foothold” left for Ruben Amorim’s men is the Europa League: last Thursday they drew 1-1 with Real Sociedad in San Sebastian, not a bad result – considering the reshuffled squad – since next week Bruno Fernandes and his teammates will have the opportunity to play the second leg at Old Trafford.
Gunners unleashed in the Champions League
Last weekend, on the other hand, United fans had to swallow yet another bitter pill: elimination from the FA Cup, a competition they were defending, by Fulham after a penalty shootout. Arsenal, on the other hand, gave a real demonstration of strength this week, beating unfortunate PSV Eindhoven 7-1 (1-7) in the first leg of the Champions League round of sixteen. Despite an attack decimated by injuries, Mikel Arteta’s team made their presence felt in Holland, practically booking their place in the quarter finals. Now the Basque coach will try to get back on track in the league too: in the last two games Arsenal have only scored one point between West Ham and Nottingham Forest, and have also failed to score.
Odds comparison
Arsenal’s win is quoted at 1.70 on Goldbet, Lottomatica and Snai. The “Over 2.5” sign is quoted at 2.10 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 2.05 on Snai.
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The prediction
The title has probably gone to Liverpool, but Arsenal have no intention of giving up: Arteta’s men, boosted by their thrashing in the Champions League, can also emerge victorious from Old Trafford (it would be their fifth consecutive league win against Manchester United). Unlike the previous two games of the season (2-0 for the Gunners in December in the Premier League, and United’s revenge in the FA Cup on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regular time) we expect a few more goals.
The probable line-ups for Manchester United-Arsenal
MANCHESTER UNITED (3-4-2-1): Onana; Yoro, de Ligt, Lindelof; Mazraoui, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Dalot; Garnacho, Zirkzee; Hojlund.
ARSENAL (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Sterling, Merino, Trossard.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2