Neither side can afford to drop points when they go head-to-head on Saturday night!
(L-R) Arsene Wenger, Sead Kolasinac, Anthony Martial and Jose Mourinho (Photos: AFP, IANS and Arsenal F.C.; Graphic: www.thestatesman.com)
Arsenal will have ato manage to find a way past a stubborn Manchester United defence without star striker Alexandre Lacazette when the Gunners host the Red Devils in high-stakes Premier League clash on Saturday.
Lacazette had been impressive since his £56 million arrival in the summer, registering seven goals, but after suffering a groin injury in the Gunners’ 5-0 win over Huddersfield, has been ruled out of the tie at the Emirates Stadium.
The opposing mangers, Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho, have never seen eye-to-eye and their personal rivalry only spices up a clash that not so long ago, virtually decided the outcome of the Premier League title.
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Now, with Manchester City threatening to run away with the title, the duo are barely keeping pace and knowing a draw would suit neither side, are likely to go for the win.
Despite being the visitors, United have the edge and are more likely to come out on top but the Gunners, who along with United are the only team to boast of a perfect home record this season, have shown ‘cojones’ in recent weeks and can’t be written off.
Alexis Sanchez is expected to shrug off a hamstring complaint and start as a ‘false-nine’ at the tip of Arsenal’s 3-4-3 formation. As a winger, the Chilean is among the best in the business, but how effective he is as a centre-forward remains to be seen.
Mesut Ozil is back in the team after a brief absence due to illness and the onus will be on the duo once again to deliver the goods. The German, in particular, was magnificent against Huddersfield and more of the same is expected against the Red Devils.
Aaron Ramsey is another player who seems to have found his groove in recent weeks but the Welshman often gets bogged down by his midfield partner—Granit Xhaka— in big games and a repeat would be catastrophic.
For United have plenty of dangerous attackers in their midst and while they aren’t free-scoring in big games, they will punish any careless mistakes.
Romelu Lukaku may looking off-colour but Anthony Martial has been picking up the slack in recent weeks while the returning Paul Pobga has proved to be catalyst in midfield for United’s recent upswing.
The aforementioned trio are United’s danger men and the hosts will have to keep close tabs on them if they are to clinch a morale-boosting win.
Injury concerns: Alexandre Lacazette (groin), Alexis Sanchez (hamstring) and Santi Cazorla (Achilles).
Suspension Alert: None
United have injury concerns of their own for not only is midfield enforcer Nemanja Matic an injury doubt but centre-backs Eric Bailly and Phil Jones are racing against time to make Jose Mourinho’s travelling squad.
Matic was hooked in the second-half after signalling to the bench during United’s 4-2 win over Watford and it’s not a coincidence that the Red Devils conceded twice after his departure.
Ander Herrera is expected to partner Pobga in the middle in case Matic can’t recover in time and while the Spaniard is a tenacious player, he doesn’t provide the level of protection the lanky Serbian does.
Martial’s excellent form couldn’t have come at a better time for United and considering his record in the big-games, the 21-year-old will be key to the visitors’ fortunes.
Leaders City don’t play till Sunday, which means United can temporarily trim the gap between them to five points if they come away from North London with a win.
Which is why, Jose Mourinho is unlikely to ‘park the bus’ against the Gunners. While the canny Portuguese won’t open his team up, he is likely to instruct his players to hit the hosts on the break and will set up his team to suit their counter-attacking style.
Injury concerns: Michael Carrick (heart problems), Phil Jones (thigh), Eric Bailly (groin), and Nemanja Matic (unspecified).
Suspension Alert: None
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