Manchester United failed to cope with the pressure of the Premier League title race on Wednesday night, losing 2-1 to bottom of the league team Sheffield United.
Playing a day after Manchester City went top of the table, the Red Devils looked nothing like the team fans had seen play over the last two months. Now, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team head to London to face Arsenal in a must-win match.
Mikel Arteta has righted the ship at the Emirates and the Gunners are in form. Arsenal took 16 points from their last 18 on offer winning five and drawing once in their last six league games.
Arsenal are unbeaten in four straight league matches versus Manchester United with three of those games ending in wins. When these teams met at Old Trafford earlier this season, there wasn’t much to separate them. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s penalty gave Arsenal the 1-0 win.
Arteta will be confident that his team can win once more against the Red Devils. Arsenal are unbeaten in four straight home matches with two ending in wins and two in draws. The Gunners have conceded goals this season at the Emirates with 11 allowed.
Manchester United have the Premier League’s best away points total with 26 from 30 possible. Their last six matches away from Old Trafford all ended without defeat.
Solskjaer could be without centre-back Eric Bailly due to a knock. The Manchester United manager is attempting to offload some fringe players as Phil Jones could leave the club for Newcastle United. Jesse Lingard is expected to sign for West Ham on Friday.
Arteta could have new January loan signing Martin Odegaard in the squad to make his debut. The Real Madrid-man won’t start due to fitness issues but could come on as a sub. Odegaard starred for Real Sociedad last season but struggled for playing time at Real Madrid to kick off the current campaign.
✅ Can score and create✅ Comfortable in tight spaces✅ Versatile across the front lineHere's the boss on what he expects from Martin Odegaard in the @PremierLeague 🇳🇴— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 28, 2021
✅ Can score and create✅ Comfortable in tight spaces✅ Versatile across the front lineHere's the boss on what he expects from Martin Odegaard in the @PremierLeague 🇳🇴
Pablo Mari, Dani Ceballos, Aubameyang, Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney and Emile Smith-Rowe all have question marks around their names due to various injuries. Each of those players are set to undergo late fitness tests on Friday/Saturday to prove they can play.
Arsenal are on a great run of form versus Manchester United, but that form should come to an end. The Red Devils need a win to get their title challenge back on track with a win at the Emirates.
The fixture should be low scoring with Solskjaer’s side just edging the Gunners. Don’t be surprised to see a Bruno Fernandes penalty be the difference in London.