The seventh round of the Premier League closes out with a blockbuster match on Monday night as Manchester United welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford. United sit in eighth place on eight points in the Premier League table, while the Gunners are three points above in fourth spot. A win for Unai Emery’s side would give them a six-point lead over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, but after losing at West Ham last weekend, the Red Devils will be desperate to bounce back to winning ways and make a statement on Monday.
To Win
Man United 13/10
Draw 26/10
Arsenal 19/10
Manchester United
Mistakes at the back, a desperate lack of midfield creativity and a worrying shortage of firepower upfront have left Manchester United well off the pace just six games into the new Premier League season and Solskjaer will need to turn around his side’s fortunes. The season is still young but the clock is already ticking for the Norwegian.
Since beating Chelsea on the season’s opening weekend, the Red Devils have won once in the Premier League. They ended Leicester’s unbeaten start to the 
season as Marcus Rashford scored the game’s only goal from the penalty spot in the eighth minute. But Solskjaer’s side then slumped to a demoralising 2-0 defeat away to West Ham – with the Hammers fans taunting the United supporters with chants of “You’re not famous anymore”.
And last month, the Red Devils suffered a 2-1 home defeat against Crystal Palace and could only manage draws on their trips to Wolves and Southampton. After just six games, Solskjaer’s side trail leaders Liverpool by 10 points.
United had been facing an injury crisis upfront after Rashford hobbled off during the loss to West Ham, but Solskjaer insisted he would have Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood available for selection. The Norwegian also expects to have Paul Pogba back from injury this week, which would be a huge boost.
A top-four finish is vital to United’s rebuilding plans and they cannot afford a defeat against Arsenal with the Gunners currently sitting three points above them in fourth place.
Arsenal
This has been a daunting fixture for Arsenal over the years with some of their most humiliating moments coming at Old Trafford. Arsenal supporters have to think back to September 2006 for their last league victory at the Theatre of Dreams, with Emmanuel Adebayor scoring the game’s only goal in the 86th minute.
But this time, I think United fans will be more worried going into this match. United are not playing well at the moment and the north Londoners will be looking to pile further misery on their opponents and come away with maximum points, which would give them a six-point lead over Solskjaer’s side.
Arsenal will feel very confident going into this clash as United come off a 2-0 defeat at West Ham where they offered very little in the game, and having seen Crystal Palace leave the Theatre of Dreams with maximum points this season, Emery’s side will believe they can finally end their Old Trafford hoodoo. They earned a point in their last trip to United in a 2-2 draw.
Arsenal will fancy their chances of victory against United. Defensively they remain suspect – they’ve conceded 10 goals so far – however, they face a Red Devils attack that has not scored more than two goals since their opening day victory against Chelsea.
Defensively, United have looked shaky as well, which will have Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang licking his lips after being involved in a goal in each game for the Gunners so far. The Gabonese strikeman also gave Nicolas Pepe the penalty kick against Villa, hoping it would give his African patriot some confidence going into such a big game.
Probable line-ups:
Manchester United: 4-2-3-1
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Young; McTominay, Pogba; Pereira, Mata, James; Martial.
Arsenal: 4-2-3-1
Leno; Chambers, Sokratis, Luiz, Kolasinac; Xhaka, Guendouzi; Pepe, Willock, Ceballos; Aubameyang.
Prediction: Manchester United Win 2-1 (9/1)
You never know what you’re going to get from both clubs at the moment. One weekend they look like they’re ready to compete, the next, they completely collapse. The last time Manchester United hosted big-six opposition at Old Trafford, they smashed Chelsea 4-0. On the other hand, when Arsenal last visited one of their top six rivals, they sat back and looked uncomfortable against Liverpool. It’s not going to produce as many goals as many expect, but I do think United will have the edge. Get on Hollywoodbets’ Price Boosts & Specials and take the Correct Score 2-1 win for Manchester United.
Chad Nagel
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