Prediction: Arsenal To Win
Odds: 19/10
Bookmaker: Bet365
One of all the all-time classic Premier League fixtures will have another chapter on Monday evening as Manchester United and Arsenal come together at Old Trafford.
The two teams have had somewhat underwhelming starts to the 2019/20 campaign so will be keen to put down a real marker to get their respective seasons really underway.
Manchester United
The pressure is really starting to crank up on Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now. The Red Devils have been severely disappointing this season having only won two out of their opening six Premier League matches, leaving them in ninth place in the table. They really were dreadful in their last league match as they deservedly lost 2-0 to West Ham United at the London Stadium. Despite progressing through to the Fourth Round of the Carabao Cup midweek, supporters will certainly have not been pacified as they required penalties to edge past League One outfit Rochdale.
It is their form in the Premier League that is particularly worrying though with only four wins in their last 15 matches in the competition. It also seems that the considerable outlay on defenders Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire has had little effect with only three clean sheets so far in all competitions this season. It is fair to say if that trend continues on Monday evening, the pressure will really heap on United and Solskjaer.
Team News
The Norwegian has really not been helped by the pile of injury worries suffered at Old Trafford in the early stages of the season. Long-term absentees Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are both still missing and are joined on the sidelines by fellow defenders Phil Jones, Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot. Mason Greenwood is likely to lead the line for the Red Devils, with both Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford both injured, whilst Angel Gomes is also out. Paul Pogba is another doubt having suffered an ankle knock against Rochdale.
Arsenal
Despite the inconsistency at the Emirates Stadium so far this season, Unai Emery’s men have only actually lost one league match so far this season and that came against certain title challengers Liverpool. The Gunners are also on a very positive run having won their last three matches in all competitions following the 5-0 midweek success over Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. They now have a great chance to win four consecutive matches for the first time in just under a year. One aspect that could hamper them as they travel to Manchester however is their form on foreign soil. Under Spaniard Emery, the Gunners have only managed to win eight away games in the Premier League at a win rate of only just over 36%. Monday really would be the perfect time to improve that record and should Arsenal manage to do that, they could potentially claim second spot in the Premier League table.
Team News
Newly-appointed skipper Granit Xhaka could take to the field as permanent Arsenal captain for the first time on Monday evening. Elsewhere, the Gunners do not have too many injury problems to contend with. Kieran Tierney and Rob Holding made their comebacks against Nottingham Forest so could be included but Hector Bellerin is still unlikely to appear. Meanwhile, Kostas Mavropanos, Alexandre Lacazette and Emile Smith-Rowe are all still out.
Key Facts To Consider
- Manchester United have the far better all-time head-to-head record (W99, D48, L83)
- The Gunners won the last clash between the two 2-0 in March
- That previous win was Unai Emery’s only victory against Manchester United as a manager
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored in his last two appearances against Manchester United
- Arsenal have not won at Old Trafford in the Premier League since September 2006
Conclusion
A trip to Old Trafford for Arsenal would usually be an extremely daunting prospect, even more so considering their 13-year wait for a Premier League win there. However, Manchester United really do not have that fear factor anymore and there probably won’t be a better chance to claim maximum points away against the Red Devils. Solskjaer’s men really are stuck in a rut and with their injuries, it is difficult to envisage that ending any time soon.
Prediction: Arsenal To Win
Odds: 19/10
Bookmaker: Bet365
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