A pivotal Premier League clash in the race for fourth sees Arsenal welcome Manchester United to the Emirates Stadium.
Just one point currently splits both teams with United occupying that fourth and final Champions League spot, making this clash key for the hopes of both sides with Chelsea also in mix.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesLucas Torreira begins a three match ban for Arsenal after seeing red against Tottenham last weekend.
Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding remain sidelined with knee injuries whilst Danny Welbeck is also out with an ankle injury.
Manchester United could have several players available after overcoming various injuries.
Phil Jones and Eric Bailly return to defence after recovering from respective illness and knock, as Anthony Martial (groin), Ander Herrera (hamstring) and Nemanja Matic (muscular) are available in midfield.
Matteo Darmian (fitness) and Antonio Valencia (calf) won’t be risked here but could feature next weekend against Wolverhampton Wanderers in their FA Cup Quarter-Final.
Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard (hamstring) are both ruled out for foreseeable future alongside Aleix Sanchez (knee).
Form
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last four league games but have lost three of their last eight overall.
At home, the Gunners have won nine of their last ten games across all competitions but kept just four clean sheets.
Manchester United meanwhile come here unbeaten in 16 of their 17 matches since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over.
Away from Old Trafford, the Red Devils have won their nine away trips under the Norwegian and kept three clean sheets in last five.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal have taken five points from last five meetings with Manchester United (W1, D2, L2).
- Both teams have scored in eight of last ten meetings across all competitions.
- Arsenal’s one home loss this season after 15 home games is better than their two losses by this stage last season.
- Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard scored in both of United’s meetings with Arsenal this season.
- Manchester United have had three different penalty scorers this season compared to Arsenal, whose two converted league penalties came from Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.
Prediction
With Man U in fine away form, Arsenal are going to have to be disciplined although both sides had away trips to France in midweek with contrasting fortunes.
I therefore can see a tight competitive game but United have overcome two huge tests within past week, so confidence will be high as they look to inflict a first home defeat on Arsenal since the opening day of this season.
Ultimately though, both teams aren’t the best defensively so am going for a draw.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United
Jake predicts: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United
Result: Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United
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