Arsenal play host to Manchester United in Saturday’s Premier League showdown at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners cruised to a 5-0 triumph over Huddersfield Town in midweek, and this has seen them maintain the fourth spot for the second game in succession. Meanwhile, United clinched a comfortable 4-2 win over Watford in the same gameweek, but they are still placed second on the table, eight points adrift of pacesetters Manchester City.
Previous meeting:
The last outing between the clubs was at the Emirates Stadium where Arsenal prevailed by a 2-0 scoreline. The Gunners looked the better side during the first period, and they made it count after the break with goals from Granit Xhaka and former Red Devil Danny Welbeck.
Players to watch for:
Mesut Ozil – Arsenal: Ozil was pretty much the hallmark of criticism for Arsenal’s performances early on, but he has put in a shift since the international break with three assists and one goal. The Germany international stood out with his work rate during the 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby, and the Huddersfield Town game was no different as he contributed two assists and a goal in the space of four second-half minutes. Despite his contract standoff, Ozil has looked a man possessed in the Gunners shirt of late, and the fans will hope that the club’s hierarchy do not stand in the way of his demands if he keeps performing with the same spirit.
Romelu Lukaku – Manchester United: While Ozil has revived his form following the break, the same has not been the case with Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian appeared to have turned the corner with his stormer of a goal versus Newcastle United, but he has since gone goalless in three attempts including at Watford, where he missed with an open goal at his mercy. Lukaku has amassed just one goal in the last 11 appearances for United in all competitions, and he needs to step up against the top-six clubs if he is to stake a claim for long-term United career. United have lacked the physical presence of Lukaku in the box of late, and they will require him to play to the best of his abilities to end the club’s two-match winless run versus Arsenal.
Prediction:
Both teams to score, but Arsenal should edge it at home!
Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United
Image – Getty