MY ACCOUNT
– Arsenal have won seven of their eight Premier League home games this season
– Manchester United kept just one clean sheet in their last seven away league games
– Recommended Bet: Arsenal to win and both teams to score
Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace has stalled their momentum and they now face the toughest test in the land as they head to Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday.
Before Wednesday’s result, this match was primed as a rivalry reborn featuring two great clubs returning to greatness.
However, the draw at Selhurst Park not only cost the Red Devils their recent momentum but it also resulted in an untimely late yellow card for the man who has shaped their performances this season, Casemiro, meaning the Brazilian will miss the game at the Emirates.
The Gunners sit top of the Premier League table, five points clear at the time of writing, and they will be looking to get revenge on the only side to have beaten them in the league this season.
United have risen to third having lost just one of their last 12 league games but Michael Olise’s late strike after Bruno Fernandes had put them ahead felt like a real blow at Palace.
After the high of winning last Saturday’s Manchester derby, Erik ten Hag needs to rouse his troops against a Gunners side who were irresistible in beating local rivals Tottenham last time out.
Team news
Arsenal are still without Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Reiss Nelson (hamstring), while new signing Leandro Trossard was registered in time to be eligible following his move from Brighton.
Mohamed Elneny is a doubt with a knee problem, while Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Bukayo Saka are all one yellow card away from a suspension.
Casemiro’s absence provides a quandary for Ten Hag.
The Dutchman pushed Christian Eriksen forward into a number 10 role against City and may do so again, with Scott McTominay and Fred stationed behind him.
Diogo Dalot and Anthony Martial could come back into contention for Sunday’s game following respective leg injuries but Donny van de Beek is out for the season after undergoing knee surgery.
Jadon Sancho is also unavailable but on-loan Jack Butland could be included in the squad after being illegible against his parent club Palace.
The stats
Arsenal have won seven of their eight home league games in the league this season, with their sole dropped points coming in January’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle.
However, they have kept just two clean sheets in that run.
The Gunners were fantastic in last Sunday’s 2-0 win over Tottenham and have not lost at home in the league to United since 2017, winning the most recent meeting 3-2 in April.
United have won five times on the road this season in the league, most recently beating Wolves 1-0 on New Year’s Eve.
However, their defensive record away from home is poor, conceding 17 times, a tally in stark contrast to at Old Trafford where they have let in just five goals.
With the last three meetings between the teams all producing over 3.5 goals, it could be another explosive meeting at the Emirates.
Prediction
Olise’s late strike for Palace and the yellow card for Casemiro, who also missed a chance to make amends and take the victory in stoppage time, has only added to the feeling that things are really falling into place for Arsenal.
The old saying is that you make your own luck and the Gunners’ dazzling play in recent months has left little doubt that on current form, they are the best team in the country.
While the atmosphere at the Emirates has occasionally turned toxic in recent years, there is a real optimism around the place this season and that has been reflected by performances on the field.
Arsenal won this fixture last season 3-1 and there is a real sense a similar outcome could be on the cards and a home win and both teams to score is available at 21/10 with LiveScore Bet.
