English Premier League - Arsenal VS Manchester United Prediction
English Premier League - Arsenal VS Manchester United
Match Time:05-12-2024 04:15 Thursday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Arsenal
Mikel Arteta continues to sweat on fitness issues with a number of his key players. Midfielder Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino were ruled out late before the West Ham United clash, with muscle and knee problems, respectively, as the Arsenal manager will be hoping to have at least one of them back against Manchester United.
There are also concerns with Gabriel; after the manager insisted, he might still be suffering from a muscle problem, although he’s expected to start. Partey’s problem is not considered serious enough, as there is hope the Ghanaian midfielder will start against Manchester United.
As for Merino, knee issues are always tricky, so much will depend on late assessments to figure out his chances of participation. There were some scares with Riccardo Calafiori coming off early in the second half at the weekend, but the Italian is expected to start in the left-back role once more for Arsenal against Manchester United.
If Partey and Merino are deemed unfit, it could mean another start for Jorginho, who was impressive at the weekend. However, Arteta should be concerned about doubts about his extensive usage. Meanwhile, the manager completely rested Gabriel Martinelli, meaning he should be in line to start on the left wing against Manchester United.
Bukayo Saka has been in scintillating form alongside attacking colleague Martin Odegaard, and the duo are expected to marshall the right side of the final third. Kai Havertz remains the preferred choice to lead the line for Arsenal against Manchester United, while Declan Rice will marshall the other midfield area on the left.
Manchester United
Ruben Amorim will be forced to make a few key changes to his lineup following that stellar victory over Everton. Those changes are due to the one-game suspensions for defender Lisandro Martinez and midfielder Kobbie Mainoo following their yellow cards against the Toffees.
On the injury front, there were concerns following Bruno Fernandes’s withdrawal and the ice pack around his ankle. Amorim has since affirmed that the problem is nothing serious and that he expects the Manchester United captain to feature against Arsenal.
The absence of Martinez will see Amorim use Harry Maguire for the first time after the centre-back returned to full fitness. Leny Yoro and Victor Lindelof are unlikely to stay fit. Still, Tyrell Malacia could potentially start unless Amorim decides to go with a more conservative option of using Diogo Dalot in the left wing-back role. Noussair Mazraoui is expected to form a part of the right side of the back three.
In the attack, the weekend’s showing ensured there were a few sure-shot selections in the attacking setup, including Amad Diallo at right wing-back. Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee also staked a claim to the attacking spots after a brace each against Everton. At the same time, Amorim could likely use Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro in his midfield setup.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Calafiori; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire; Diallo, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dalot; Zirkzee, Fernandes; Hojlund
Arsenal vs Manchester United Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
The rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United is one of the most storied in Premier League history. Recent seasons, though, have seen the Gunners largely get the better of the Red Devils. They beat United twice last season, and haven't lost a league game at the Emirates against them since December 2017.
After suffering a sticky patch earlier in the season, Arsenal now seem firmly back on track. They have won their last three matches across all competitions, scoring thirteen goals while only letting in three in return.
Manchester United are still unbeaten since sacking former boss Erik Ten Hag in late October. They also picked up their first Premier League win since the appointment of new boss Ruben Amorim this weekend, thrashing Everton 4-0 at Old Trafford.
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka currently tops the Premier League's assist chart with 10 in his first 12 games this season. The England winger has also scored five, meaning that only Mohammed Salah of Liverpool has more goal contributions to date.
Despite Manchester United's relatively poor start to the campaign, goalkeeper Andre Onana has kept more clean sheets than any other keeper in the Premier League thus far, producing a total of six. Only league leaders Liverpool have let in fewer goals than the Red Devils.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United
As potent as Man United have been at their Old Trafford base under Ruud van Nistelrooy and Amorim, their powers often elude them on the road, a bad omen before a visit to Arsenal's Emirates fortress. Having also lost the effervescent Mainoo and the defensive cornerstone Martinez, Man United should suffer their first setback of the Amorim era against an Arsenal side who have rediscovered their attacking mojo. History will be written if our prediction comes true, as an Arsenal win would see them beat Man United in four successive league matches for the first time ever.
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