Nineteen unbeaten. North London conquered. Together, Arsenal are slowly turning a corner.
Having dispatched Tottenham on Sunday with another fantastic second half display, the Gunners go again in another top six clash, this time at Old Trafford against an out of sorts Manchester United. With Unai Emery's regime well and truly in full swing, Arsenal now have four points from four games against top six rivals. Take out Emery's incredibly difficult start (Manchester City at home and Chelsea away), it's four points from Liverpool and Tottenham. However, these successes have been at the Emirates, in our back yard. The real test now - and to genuinely see whether Arsenal have turned a corner - is away at Old Trafford.
Arsenal
Form: D D D W W W
League Position: 4th
Goals Scored: 48
Goals Conceded: 22
Manchester United
Form: W W L D W D
League Position: 7th
Goals Scored: 30
Goals Conceded: 27
Traditionally, all form goes out the window for this clash. Whatever Arsenal's form in the past, they'd turn up and fall to peaces from the first whistle and generally lose. Danny Welbeck's FA cup winner a few seasons ago is Arsenal's only Old Trafford win in recent memory but Emery's men will be looking to change that now. This looks a new Arsenal. A hungry, fit and together Arsenal. Men who once crumbled under pressure now seem to manage the pressure and be patient, find success and get results, regardless of circumstance. Added to the mix is a woeful looking Manchester United. Long gone are the days of Fergie's talented warriors who'd bully Arsenal off the pitch. Yes, Jose has big, physical players but they lack desire, lack hunger and lack belief - everything Arsenal have shown through this nineteen match unbeaten run. A clash of styles yes but even more so, a clash in confidence, form and consistency. Emery's tactical nouse added to a talented and together group of Arsenal players means Jose and Man United have their hands full. At double your money for an away win at Southampton which United still failed to complete shows that even the bookies are losing faith. Arsenal, for once, look to head into this one as favourites. Being favourites brings an added pressure.
The two big questions for Emery today and tomorrow surround shape and starting personnel; does he go 3-4-3 again? Does he go like for like again or start how he finished on Sunday? Plenty of decisions to be made but judging by the impressive nature of the Gunners' second half display against Spurs, it should be more of the same. Leno should continue between the sticks as his good play on the deck continues to aid our build up play (and rescue his team mates from howling own goals!!). 3-4-3 means more Mustafi (if fit), Sokratis and Holding. Bellerin and Kolasinac both look most comfortable in the wing back areas, having licence to get forward more so both are expected to continue. Aaron Ramsey and the outstanding Lucas Torreira could start together central midfield or Matteo Guendouzi could come in for Xhaka instead of Ramsey. In front, Aubameyang and Ramsey (should Guendouzi play deeper) should fill the false wide areas in behind the more central Alex Lacazette. Should Ramsey start deeper, then Alex Iwobi or Henrikh Mhkitaryan will come in. It's a shame for Granit Xhaka that he has to sit this one out after picking up a fifth domestic yellow card accruing a one match ban.
Manchester United are in trouble, deep trouble. Defensively they are all over the place. Blessed with one of if not the best goalkeeper in the world, they need to rediscover their shape and organisation. De Gea cannot carry this team by himself as even he will let in a goal or two - as proved of late. Going forward, they are equally as inconsistent. Jose hasn't quite found his best partnership, trio or combinations in midfield or upfront but at home they are still to be feared. Lukaku is seriously out of form but provides a presence that no one else does so he could start this one from the off. Academy products Rashford and Lingard could start in wide areas, with Martial also pushing for a start. In midfield, Pogba could miss out should the manager go for a more conservative, organised and combative approach. Matic, Herrera and Fellaini all provide the steel, physicality and presence United are going to need to beat this Arsenal team.
Emery is a smart manager that now knows his team, his assets and their weaknesses. He has proved he can make the tough calls when needed and showed that he can deliver. United away is always a game that stands out on the calendar regardless or circumstances. Tomorrow night will be no different.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
CB: Shkodran Mustafi
CB: Sokratis
CB: Rob Holding
RWB: Hector Bellerin
CM: Lucas Torreira
CM: Matteo Guendouzi
LWB: Sead Kolasinac
CAM: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
CAM: Aaron Ramsey
ST: Alex Lacazette
Prediction: 3-1 win. United are dangerous and are likely to score but this Arsenal team in current form will be hard to stop. Jose's defence could feature Matic or McTominay again, either would be in trouble against Lacazette, Aubameyang and Ramsey. The Gunners strike force is red hot and United of late have showed no signs of keeping teams out.
@craigbennett10
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