Arsenal vs Manchester United Preview and Betting Tip

The big match this weekend in the Premier League is Arsenal vs Manchester United. In days of old these two teams would usually be fighting it out for the right to be Champions. Things are different now. Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal sit 9th in the table with little hope of mounting a serious title challenge. Man Utd are 2nd but they were dealt a severe reality check by Sheffield United at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

This is a massive match for both clubs and The Gunners won’t lack confidence given their current form and their 1-0 win at Old Trafford earlier this season. That was a dour affair, hopefully this one will be a lot more exciting to watch.

Young Guns Firing For Arteta

On the 10th of October Arsenal beat Sheffield United 2-1 at The Emirates. They then went on to win just 1 of their next 10 games, that 1-0 win at Old Trafford. The vultures were most definitely circling for Mikel Arteta during that dreadful run, but the Spaniard has managed to turn things around. Arsenal’s resurgence has been mainly down to two players that have graduated from their academy.

Bukayo Sako, still just 19 years old, has emerged as a real talent. He has contributed 5 goals and 2 assists so far this season and 4 of those goals have come in the last 6 EPL games. The other player that has caught the eye is 20 year old Emile Smith-Rowe. He has now started 6 games for Arsenal and while he hasn’t scored, he has come up with 3 assists. Arsenal’s form with him in the side reads WWDWWW and it is no coincidence. Unfortunately he came off with an injury in the 3-1 win at Southampton and he may not make this fixture.

Thomas Partey has been another influential figure for Arsenal, as has Kieran Tierney. However, they are both doubts too. If those two are fit then it will massively enhance The Gunners’ chances. Tierney has added another dimension in attack from left back and Partey has brought steel and discipline in midfield.  

Reality Check For Complacent Utd

Manchester United went into Wednesday night’s match vs Sheffield United knowing a win would send them back to the top of the table. Nobody gave The Blades a chance but they pulled off the upset, winning 2-1. It was a desperate performance by the Red Devils. It looked like most of the players thought they had to just turn up to win and Sheffield United were full value for the victory.

Bruno Fernandes was one of the few United players to put a proper shift in. Paul Pogba started well but he reverted to type once things started going against him. He was statue like during the move that led to Sheffield United’s winning goal and it will be interesting to see if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keeps the faith with him on Saturday.

Anthony Martial’s struggles continued and Alex Telles looks very suspect defensively. Luke Shaw will almost certainly return to the team, as will Fred and McTominay. Edinson Cavani looks nailed on to start too. However, no matter what personnel are involved United will have to show a much better attitude than they did on Wednesday if they are to get a result at The Emirates.

Arsenal Will Fancy Their Chances

Given their excellent recent record in the EPL vs Man Utd, Arsenal will fancy their chances. They are unbeaten in their last 5 Premier League fixtures against United (WWDWD). The last two matches at The Emirates between the sides finished 2-0 to the hosts. Mikel Arteta will be hoping that history repeats itself on Saturday night.  

Arsenal vs Manchester United: Premier League Form

The Gunners’ home form has been patchy at best so far during this campaign. They have had 10 games at The Emirates this season and they have a W4 D2 L4 record. They are at least unbeaten in the last 4 (W2 D2) and they are in much better form now than they were earlier this season.  

Manchester United will be looking to maintain their superb domestic away record on Saturday evening. They haven’t lost on the road in the Premier League since losing successive games to Arsenal and Liverpool in January 2020. Since then they have won 13 and drawn 4 of their 17 away fixtures in the EPL.

Arsenal’s Improvement To Continue

Man Utd may be 10 points ahead of Arsenal in the table but on form, the hosts have every chance of taking all 3 points here. United had been winning games in which they weren’t at their best but Wednesday night’s defeat was a very worrying performance. If Pogba plays and produces his best they might maintain their superb away record but that is far from guaranteed.

Arsenal’s hopes rest on the fitness and availability of some of their key players. Smith-Rowe, Partey, and Tierney are all injury worries and Aubameyang could be missing too. New arrival Martin Odegaard could feature but he is most likely to be sprung from the bench. If they aren’t missing more than two of the aforementioned players they should give Man Utd a proper game on Saturday. At the prices, the home win is worth backing in the Arsenal vs Manchester United match at odds of 2.96 on the Betfair Exchange.

Arsenal vs Manchester United Tip: Arsenal to win @ 2.96 (Betfair Exchange)

Key Quotes

Mikel Arteta: Speaking about Man Utd – “We know that it’s going to be really difficult. They’ve been in top form. They’ve been top of the table playing really well. We know they are a real threat. So we have to be at our best to beat them on Saturday.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer “They have been impressive lately, turned it around. Since the Chelsea game they have got really good results. Always great games against Arsenal. Some classics between the two sides.”

Dave Stevos