Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Unibet
In one of the Premier League’s most iconic rivalries, Arsenal and Manchester United will face off at an empty Emirates on Saturday evening.
Arsenal
Starting with the hosts, while Arsenal might have come crashing out of the FA Cup away at Southampton last week, the Gunners managed to pick up immediate revenge on the South Coast. Eventually leaving St. Mary’s with a 3-1 win to show for their troubles, Mikel Arteta’s side certainly appears to have put their early-season struggles behind them. With the mood around North London certainly at the highest it has been in the 2020/21 campaign, Arsenal have skyrocketed their way up the table and some in their camp now have a European finish at the top of their agenda. Managing to make a string of improvements at the back and conceding just a single goal in their last five Premier League contests on the bounce, Pep Guardiola’s former right-hand man has seen his side record a hugely impressive 16 points from their last six top-flight appearances. A team who have turned a real corner and with the chance to move within striking distance of the European spots, Arsenal should be smelling a chance to lay down another marker this weekend.
Team News
After joining on loan from Real Madrid earlier in the week, Martin Odegaard could make his Arsenal debut this weekend.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has returned from spending time with his ill mother but it is unclear whether he will be available.
Manchester United
As for the visitors, while Manchester United might have thought that they were going to cruise their way back to the top of the table in midweek, it was a nightmare at Old Trafford for the former champions. Eventually getting hit with a stunning 2-1 defeat against a rock-bottom Sheffield United on home soil, the Reds have certainly come crashing back down to earth. Watching their 14-match Premier League unbeaten run come to an abrupt end on Wednesday night, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will be desperate to make an immediate return to winning ways in the capital. Despite showing a host of issues at Old Trafford this season, the title-outsiders have continued to impress with their performances on the road. Including a 2-1 victory away at Fulham in their last matchup outside of Manchester, Saturday’s guests are unbeaten in each of their last 17 top-flight matchups on the road continuing on from last season, a run that stems back to the 19th of January 2020.
Team News
After missing Manchester United’s midweek defeat against Sheffield United, Eric Bailly has been given the green light to return from a minor knock.
Likewise, fellow defender Victor Lindelof should be fit to return despite a long-standing back problem.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides last faced off back in November at Old Trafford, Arsenal picked up a 1-0 win on the road.
- Each of the last four meetings between Saturday’s opponents has finished with under 2.5 goals.
- The Gunners have managed to collect 16 points from their last six Premier League contests.
- Hit with a 2-1 defeat against Sheffield United in midweek, Manchester United saw their 14-match Premier League unbeaten run come to an end.
- However, United have not lost a top-flight contest on the road since the 19th of January 2020.
Conclusion
Watching Manchester United get hit with that stunning 2-1 defeat against Sheffield United in midweek, there is no doubt that Arsenal could be smelling a real chance to lay down a marker. Making a string of improvements and landing a 3-1 romp away at Southampton earlier in the week, the Gunners have managed to collect a staggering 16 points from their last six top-flight contests. However, despite their issues at Old Trafford, it should be highlighted that United have continued to impress on the road. Unbeaten in the Premier League on their travels in over a year now, we could see chances come thick and fast this weekend.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Unibet
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