Arsenal welcome Manchester United to the Emirates Stadium in a blockbuster conclusion to New Year Day.
A win could see the Gunners re-enter the top ten whilst Man Utd could very well find themselves needing victory here to return to fifth, depending on results earlier in the day.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesGranit Xhaka could return for Arsenal after missing Sunday’s defeat to Chelsea through illness.
Dani Ceballos, Gabriel Martinelli and Hector Bellerin could all return from hamstring injuries if pass late fitness tests, and same for Rob Holding (knee) if he also passes his fitness test.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos (concussion) is still absent but could return on Monday night against Leeds United in the FA Cup.
Kieran Tierney (shoulder), Calum Chambers (knee) and Sead Kolasinac (ankle) are all ruled out.
Manchester United have no fresh injury concerns from their win at Burnley, despite Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah resuming training this week.
Both however aren’t expected to be risked until Saturday against Wolves in the FA Cup, having been sidelined with lengthy knee injuries for much of 2019.
Marcos Rojo (groin) could also return for that game but Axel Tuanzebe (hamstring) and Scott McTominay (knee) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal are unbeaten in their last three league meetings against Manchester United (W1, D2).
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored in his last three appearances for Arsenal against Man Utd in all competitions (W1, D1, L1).
- Both teams have scored in four of their last five league meetings, with the only exception coming when Arsenal won 2-0 in March 2019 at home with goals from Granit Xhaka and Aubameyang.
- In 55 Premier League meetings, both teams have missed two penalties against each other, with Arsenal scoring once from three penalties to Man Utd’s four out of six penalties.
- Six of Marcus Rashford’s 68 shots in 20 league appearances for United this season have hit the woodwork.
Prediction
With just one win in their last 12 league games, Arsenal simply have to win here because if they dont and Burnley, Brighton and Southampton all take three points then the Gunners could languish down in a dire 15th position.
I therefore am expecting a good game because Arsenal will be up for this after a positive home performance against Chelsea on Sunday, whereas Man Utd are finding their best form now after an inconsistent run.
Utd however are my tip to win because if they can force Arsenal into playing out from defence, they should be able to apply the necessary pressure to create goals, thereby possibly ending all hopes for Arsenal of achieving European football next season.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United
Result: Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United