Manchester United Vs Arsenal: Match Preview And Prediction

Arsenal by now should be at Old Trafford in preparation for their highly anticipated premier league fixture scheduled for 1:45pm. It promises to be a tense encounter as Former Arsenal skipper, Robin Van Persie, comes face to face with his old club for the first time since making a summer move in August – he is the man to watch.

Here, we bring you a preview of the match and our prediction. But just before that, here’s how we expect them to line up:

Team News

Manchester United

Chris Smalling is still recovering from a broken metatarsal, but will not be ready to return this week. Phil Jones (knee) will also miss this match, though he should return within the next two weeks.

Nemanja Vidic (knee) and midfielder Shinji Kagawa (knee) remain sidelined. It was announced yesterday that Vidic will probably be out until Christmas.

Arsenal

Gervinho (ankle), Kieran Gibbs (thigh), Wojciech Szczesny (ankle), Abou Diaby (thigh) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) will all miss this match as they continue their rehabilitation.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (hip) is questionable and will face a fitness test before the start of the match. Theo Walcott might not play after playing 120 minutes in the Gunners, thrilling 7-5 win at Reading in the middle of the week.

Key Players

Manchester United

The start to this season has been disparaging defensively. United have conceded the first goal in eight of the 14 matches that they have played to date.

This previous back means that United will need to outscore Arsenal in this fixture. Considering the circumstances, none other than Robin van Persie is the key player for the Red Devils in this fixture.

In five of the six matches that the Dutch striker has scored in this season, United conceded the first goal.

United have also not lost to date when he scores.

Arsenal

After a 17-month absence, Jack Wilshire finally made his long-awaited return to the Gunners during last weekend’s win against QPR.

With plenty of injuries plaguing Arsenal’s squad at the moment, they will need a strong performance from their young star at Old Trafford.

Considering that Arsenal have scored just 10 goals in 20 Premier League visits to Old Trafford, with their only multi-goal effort coming in last season’s historic 8-2 loss, Wilshire will need to put in his best work for Arsenal to come out on top.

Prediction

There are plenty of interesting stats that will side with United in this matchup.

Wayne Rooney has achieved tremendous success against Arsenal. Rooney’s 10 goals against Arsenal is tied for the highest by an EPL player against the Gunners, alongside Robbie Fowler.

Rooney’s 10 goals are tied for the most he has scored against any Premier League opponent.

United have also scored in their last 53 league matches at the Theatre of Dreams, a Premier League record.

Arsenal have failed to win at Old Trafford since 2006 when Emmanuel Adebayor scored a late winner.

There is too much going against Arsenal heading into this fixture. They are without several of their top players and Man United’s football is at a high level.

Even with a weak defense, it is unlikely that United would lose this fixture. Through 12 matches in both the Champions League and the Premier League, United have not had one draw.

That streak will extend past 13 matches, for United will secure another important win.

Here’s our prediction: Manchester United 4, Arsenal 2. What’s your prediction?

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