11/10 draw 24/10 23/10
The English Premier League returns this weekend with an enthralling encounter as Arsenal and Manchester United renew their rivalry at the Emirates Stadium. United boast the better head to head stats as they are unbeaten in their last six meetings against The Gunners, winning four of them. However, Arsene Wenger will be confident of changing that history this time around as this is United’s worst start to the campaign.
Arsenal will be hoping to get back to winning ways after losing 2-1 at Swansea last time out. The Gunners took the lead thanks to Alexis Sanchez’ 63rd minute effort but The Swans got back on terms thanks to a fabulous Gylfi Sigurdsson free-kick before Bafetimbi Gomis got the winner just 90 seconds after coming on the pitch. The defeat has left the Gunners in 6th position with just a point above their opponents. Wenger’s side have struggled for consistency thus far but have looked more commanding when playing at home and will be happy to return to the Emirates where they are yet to lose, with two wins and three draws. Arsenal have been cursed with injuries to several of their stars and indeed that has weakened them but the players selected are more than capable and should play with more heart. If Arsenal can get a victory on Saturday against their rivals, it could give the players a major lift that will spur them on to challenge the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea. Theo Walcott is in contention to be involved from the start but it remains to be seen whether Wenger will drop the in-form Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Walcott has made two appearances off the bench since returning from his long injury layoff and will be raring to go if given the chance. Danny Welbeck will face his old club for the first time since making his £16m switch from Old Trafford on Transfer Deadline Day. Welbeck comes into the clash in good form after scoring a brace in England’s 3-1 victory over Slovenia last weekend, taking his tally under Roy Hodgson to 13 goals in 27 appearances, including a highly impressive five in his last four games this season. Welbeck appears to be reaping the benefits of his move to Arsenal, where he has established himself as one of the first names on Wenger’s team-sheet. Sanchez looks to have found his feet in an Arsenal shirt having found the eight times in nine starts. The Chilean’s high energy and constant work rate could see him be a menace for Manchester United in attack and defence. The 25-year-old will use his pace and trickery to weave in and out of challenges and pile pressure on the United goal, whilst also charging back to help out the defence when needed.
Louis van Gaal’s quest to revive the fallen giants of English football has been miserable. The Red Devils have their lowest points tally after 10 games since 1986, four fewer than under David Moyes last season. Van Gaal appears to be struggling to lift the player’s morale and instil that enthusiasm and intensity that saw United as one of the most exciting Premier League teams we have ever seen under Sir Alex Ferguson. The Red Devils have won just four of their 11 matches this season, suffering four defeats with three draws. United have been clinical upfront scoring 17 goals but have conceded 14 times, showing their defensive frailties. Like Arsenal, United have been hit with many injuries with the latest being Daley Blind (knee), David de Gea (dislocated finger) and Michael Carrick (groin) all coming on international duty and will raise concerns ahead of the trip to North London. Van Gaal also needs to address a serious crisis in defence as Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Rafael da Silva may not be match fit, according to the manager, who is aware that Radamel Falcao could also struggle to start. Van Gaal will be reliant on former Gunner, Robin van Persie to produce the goods and hassle the likes of Per Mertesacker and left back Nacho Monreal who will be filling the void left by the injured Laurent Koscielny. Van Persie would love nothing more than to silence the jeering Arsenal crowd, who once adored him, by getting on the score-sheet. After marking his 100th England cap with a goal against the Slovenians last weekend, Wayne Rooney will be hoping to find the net at club level and improve on his three goals from eight matches thus far.
Betting Verdict: Arsenal
Arsenal are favourites at 11/10 while Manchester United are priced up at 24/10. Both sides have struggled to keep clean sheets and have looked poor in defence but have flourished in attack. There is so much attacking talent on display that it is easy to imagine both sides’ defences leaving some less heralded threats unmarked. Both teams to score looks a certainty at 4/10. With that being said, The Gunners will look to come out stronger and they might not get a better chance than this to beat a United side crippled with injuries. It should be an open game but The Gunners are tipped to make home advantage count.
Written by Chadley Nagel
