Premier League: This Old Rivalry has Renewed Spice

Arsenal vs Manchester United

Premier League: Arsenal vs Manchester United was the box office fixture in the early part of the 21^st century but it has rather fallen out of the limelight in recent seasons, as Manchester City and Liverpool dominated the title race.

But maybe, just maybe, the balance of power is shifting as the Gunners have recently emerged as the biggest rivals to league leaders Liverpool and, remarkably, the Red Devils have climbed to within four points of City after recording a thumping 4-0 win over Everton on Sunday. This match is second versus ninth and the Arsenal vs Manchester United betting odds are pointing to a home win. But new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorin has breathed life into a club which has been in hibernation for over a decade; these are early days and this is his biggest test yet.   

After Liverpool’s win over Manchester City at the weekend the Gunners have taken their place as clear second favourites to win the league at SBOTOP odds of 3.50 and, by the way, the Sky Blues have gone out to a huge price of 10.00. Arne Slot’s team, at 1.50 are the ones to topple but Arteta has already said his men can do it. His team needs to back his claim up with a win on Wednesday, and the Premier League leading pack will watch the Arsenal vs Manchester United updates with keen interest.

 

Talking Points

Saka is becoming unplayable  

With ten assists from 12 games Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is leading the list by three clear assists from a chasing group of Mo Salah, Cole Palmer, and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes. The England man is approaching 200 games for the Gunners and he’s still only 23 years of age. He was in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year in 2023 and he’s sure to be back in that group this season the way he is playing. In Arsenal’s 5-2 win over West Ham United on Saturday Saka was rampant. He crossed for Gabriel’s headed opener, had a hand in the build up for the Gunners’ second, won the penalty converted by Martin Odegaard and scored his own penalty late in the game.

There’s no doubt the return of skipper Odegaard has coincided with Arsenal’s uptick in form, they have scored 13 goals in three wins over the past ten days, but Saka is putting in man-of-the-match performances week in week out. He made an assist and scored a goal in the wins over Sporting Lisbon and Nottingham Forest and it is difficult to see how Manchester United will cope with Saka’s brilliance.    

 

Can Amorin get a consistent tune from Rashford and Zirkzee?  

The Red Devils came out of their ‘clash of styles’ against Everton with flying colours, winning 4-0. Amorin’s first Premier league win could hardly have been better as they snuffed out the Toffees’ attacking threat, with Lisandro Martinez back to his best at the heart of defence, and they were clinical up front, both Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee scoring a brace, with two assists each for Fernandes and Amad Diallo. That Rashford scored twice was good enough; he has blown hot and cold for United over the past two years or more, but Netherlands’ star Zirkzee surprised everyone with his goals. Following his high profile move from Bologna the 23 year old scored in the season curtain raiser against Fulham but, until Sunday, that was it.

A striker with a cutting edge is exactly what United fans have been crying out for and if Amorin can find two he will make plenty of friends at Old Trafford.       

 

History

With 34 wins to 25 Manchester United have held the upper hand in this relationship since the start of the Premier League; but it has been hugely competitive and the Gunners did the double last season with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford and a 3-1 victory at the Emirates.

The Red Devils have had a gentle run of fixtures but with four wins and two draws from the last six they have arguably been in better form than the Gunners who have won three, drawn one and lost two. Crucially, Arsenal’s three wins have arrived over the past ten days.    

 

Betting Tip

At 1.41 to win the Gunners are hot, hot favourites to win this match while the Draw is priced at 4.14 and the Red Devils are out at 5.61 to earn a first away league win under Amorin.

Arsenal are unbeaten at home, with four wins and two draws in the league, and they were ahead at half time in each of the last three games, and three up against both Sporting and West Ham.  

   

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