Manchester United vs Arsenal
They’ve both been through a period of transition, and may not yet be out, but Premier League: Manchester United vs Arsenal is one of those classic fixtures which fans and neutrals alike always look forward to.
For a glorious decade in the Premier League, from around the late 1990s, these two teams were streets ahead of their rivals. Times have changed and now Liverpool and Manchester City are the two teams to match; and at the moment this is a 15th versus 11th fixture.
But these are early days and the future looks reasonably bright at both clubs, managed by former players Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Mikel Arteta, the signs of revival are most definitely visible and, with some exciting players in each squad, the Manchester United vs Arsenal highlights are always worth a watch.
Talking Points
United blowing hot and cold
Sometimes it’s difficult to know what to make of this Manchester United team. They are in scintillating form in Europe but have looked like a stodgy mid table side in the Premier League.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils put on a stunning display in midweek to blow Bundesliga leaders Red Bull Leipzig out of the water with a devastating finish to the game, as Marcus Rashford helped himself to a hat-trick. And that followed a win away to the French billionaires of Paris Saint Germain.
But in the Premier League they sit in 15th having recently taken a hammering from Spurs when the Red Devils midfield simply didn’t turn up, and last week’s goalless draw with Chelsea, at a rain-swept Old Trafford, owed more to the coaches’ reluctance to play expansive football than any great performance from either defence. Each side’s back four had as comfortable night as you could expect with attacking players like Timo Werner, Marcus Rashford and Christian Pulisic on the pitch.
That’s not the Manchester United of days gone by.
The Red Devils’ key player, at the moment, is Bruno Fernandes who has made three goals and two assists, and OGS is understandably happier to rely on his Portuguese star than Paul Pogba who blows hotter and colder than anyone!
Left back Alex Telles tested positive for COVID 19 after the Leipzig victory, and he’ll miss out against Arsenal, but otherwise Solskjaer has a full squad to pick from.
Gunners are yet to click but aren’t far away
Mikel Arteta is certainly getting Arsenal into shape and he’s already won two pieces of silverware in his eight months in charge, the FA Cup and Community Shield. He’s recruited well in the transfer window too, but three wins and three defeats has been a disappointing return so far.
Defeat at home to Leicester last week was a setback for the Gunners as the Foxes executed a classic smash and grab raid, with Jamie Vardy snatching a winner after Arsenal had dominated. And that followed a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City, so another reversal on Sunday would make it three defeats on the bounce.
New boys Gabriel, who has shored up the Gunners’ defence, and midfielder Thomas Partey, signed from Atletico Madrid on deadline day, have settled well, as has former Chelsea winger Willian, and Arsenal now have a more solid look about them. They still have a potent attacking threat in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and three goal Alexandre Lacazette, while wing back Bukayo Saka is an exciting player.
With youngsters Eddie Nketiah, Joe Willock and Nicolas Pepe all scoring in a Europa League victory over Dundalk last night, Arteta has plenty of firepower in reserve.
History
In the days of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger this was the big fixture in the football calendar.
Referee Mike Dean will be aware of the history between these two great clubs, including the legend of Pizzagate, when an Arsenal player allegedly flung a slice of pizza at Sir Alex after one tempestuous clash!
There have been some tremendous battles and, in the Premier League era, the Red Devils have had the upper hand, winning 31 to Arsenal’s 19, while there have been 16 draws.
This fixture ended in a 1-1 draw last season, and that made it six unbeaten at home for Manchester United against the Gunners.
Betting Tip
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Manchester United vs Arsenal | Total Goals 2-3 @ 1.96 |
| November 02, 00:30 (GMT+8) |
The latest Manchester United vs Arsenal betting odds here at SBOTOP give the hosts an edge at odds of 2.05, with the draw at 3.16 and Arsenal at 3.40.
But I expect this to be a tough game for United, who have been underwhelming in domestic games, though if they can’t get up for this one there is something badly wrong.
I fancy another 1-1 draw or a win by the odd goal in three. Which way? Now there’s a question…
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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