It is a massive game on Monday night for Manchester United’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Arsenal’s Unai Emery, and one of them will depart Old Trafford under more pressure than when they entered.
Neither club can afford to lose the game, especially United, and the manner in which this game is played will reflect that situation.
Arsenal fans feel confident that the club will register a first league victory at United in over a decade and they have every right to feel such confidence.
United are in a mess right now, they are missing some crucial players, they are lacking a fit recognised striker and are clearly not in the best of form, whereas Arsenal have won three in a row in all competitions, the defence has been strengthened significantly and they have a striker who is on fire right now.
Solskjaer’s men are still very dangerous, they have a gem in Daniel James, their defence is stronger than last season, and their record against Arsenal at Old Trafford is such that they can never be underestimated.
I am expecting this to be an open game, I do not see United dominating possession, Arsenal will have as much of the ball, if not more, and it will depend on who does more with the ball when they have it. Lacking a proper striker will hurt United going forward and so will Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when Arsenal attack.
Arsenal simply look in better shape to me, they will be a genuine threat down the flanks, they will be far more threatening in attack and I am not sure that the United defence is in much better shape in comparison to Arsenal’s new-look defence.
This is a great opportunity for Arsenal to get the win in United’s back yard and that is exactly what I expect to happen.
Predicted Score
Man Utd 1 – 3 Arsenal