Preview: Manchester United v Arsenal


Aubameyang

Preview: Manchester United v Arsenal - Can the Gunners maintain their strong record against United? And will Bukayo Saka PLAY?




By Josh Graham



Arsenal head to Manchester United off the back of four wins in five Premier League games as Mikel Arteta’s men look to get one over their old enemy.

A trip to Old Trafford is never easy and these two played out many a classic in the early 2000s.

But the Theatre of Dreams is no longer the daunting venue it once was under the rule of Sir Alex Ferguson.

In fact, this game will mark the beginning of Ralf Rangnick’s interim time in charge, although the 63-year-old will not be manning the touchline due to work permit delays - caretaker manager Michael Carrick again finding himself in the dugout.

Both sides will be looking to get December off to a flying start ahead of the busy festive period.
Form

The Gunners bounced back from the 4-0 hammering dished out to them by Liverpool against Newcastle last time out.

Second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli gave Arsenal a 2-0 win and heaped more misery on the Toon.

Arteta’s men sit fifth in the Premier League but are level on points with fourth-place West Ham, who occupy that all-important last Champions League spot.

United, on the other hand, finally showed some resilience and fighting spirit as they held Premier League leaders Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Jadon Sancho scored a breakaway goal for the visitors after Jorginho’s howler but the Italy midfielder, who scooped third in the Ballon d’Or this week, atoned for his error by converting a penalty.

It was a hard-fought point for Carrick and will have given Rangnick plenty of belief that there is still something to work with in a United side that have looked far off the boil for the vast majority of this campaign.

Bukayo Saka


Team News

Saturday’s goalscorer Saka is a doubt for Arsenal with a muscle problem he picked up against Eddie Howe’s side, with Arteta sweating on the results of a scan on the England ace’s injury.

Midfielder Granit Xhaka is definitely out as he will not return to action until the end of December after suffering a serious knee injury.

Similarly, Sead Kolasinac is another long-term absentee with an ankle problem he picked up on international duty due to keep him sidelined until the New Year.

Captain Harry Maguire is available again for the Red Devils after serving a one-match ban against Chelsea following his red card against Watford.

Raphael Varane is unlikely to be fit enough to also return in the heart of the defence, although Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof acquitted themselves well in West London so could hang on to the starting spots.

Phil Jones was named on the bench for the first time this season on Sunday and could again make the matchday side.

Mason Greenwood was also on the bench against Chelsea after contracting Covid-19 but both he and Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to feature from the start in midweek.

What they said

Mikel Arteta called on his side to be more ruthless in front of goal after the win against Newcastle.

As reported by the Evening Standard, when asked if he wants his team to be more ruthless, the Spaniard said: “Yeah, after the 2-0 we have to go to a different level. We gave too many sloppy balls away and weren’t organised in the press and we allowed them to run a few times.

“That’s the moment that we have to give even more and go for the third or the fourth.

“We had moments in the first half when we took the game where we wanted, but without really hurting them enough and not playing with enough urgency.”

After being officially announced, new United incumbent Ralf Rangnick said: “I am excited to be joining Manchester United and focused on making this a successful season for the club.

“The squad is full of talent and has a great balance of youth and experience. All my efforts for the next six months will be on helping these players fulfil their potential, both individually and, most importantly, as a team.

“Beyond that, I look forward to supporting the club’s longer-term goals on a consultancy basis.”

Recent clashes

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games against United.

In the corresponding fixture last November at Old Trafford, a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang penalty was enough for all three points and Gooners will be hoping for similar success this week.

However, the crushing 8-2 defeat over ten years ago in 2011 still serves as a reminder of the danger United possess at home.

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