It's game time again folks and for the first time in 2020, Arsenal kick off at the Emirates Stadium as they host Manchester United in the Premier League.
In Mikel Arteta's first home game last time out, there was another slight but gradual improvement. Although the final score didn't go the way of the Gunners there were good signs of progress throughout the squad. With injuries galore and a huge element of Emery-undoing to be done, Arteta has a real job on his hands right now and going forward.
On the injury front, Calum Chambers is a new addition and right now there are real fears that he could miss the rest of the season. And in all honesty, however long the absence is, he will be a real miss considering his good personal form of late. Although back in training today, Sokratis is likely to miss out again through concussion but Hector Bellerin could be available. This is likely to mean one of Mavropanos or Mustafi coming in to central defence, should Rob Holding not make it. In midfield, Dani Ceballos is back in the fold after completing a week's worth of full training and could be pivotal to refreshing the midfield. Granit Xhaka missed the Chelsea game through a reported illness but that could have been a cover up for his pending return to the Bundesliga in the winter transfer window, opening tomorrow but he could however still feature against United. His ball playing skills could be crucial in what is likely to be an end-to-end encounter. The other absentee that could now be available is the exciting Gabriel Martinelli. He is very unlikely to get the start however.
Mikel Arteta is seemingly keen on both Alex Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang in the same shape and of late, its been much better than we saw under Unai Emery. As result, it's expected to be the same again tomorrow. Fans have been screaming for Nicolas Pepe of late but against Chelsea, Reiss Nelson was probably as good as he has ever been so the young Englishman could keep his place. Mesut Ozil in the number ten role is back on track and looking near to his best, also. The increase in his performance and output will only benefit his colleagues more and more each game. He pretty much ran the show when Arsenal had the ball last time out, and if the Gunners are going to get any joy against United, the German playmaker will need to give more of the same.
Our visitors come into this one having rested their full backs last time out and both Aaron Wan Bissaka and Luke Shaw are expected to return to the starting line up. There are still big question marks over the fitness of Paul Pogba who's been in and out of the United squad over the last two games. OGS said he expected the Frenchman to travel to London with the side but there are still no guarantees. His game management and forward-thinking instincts really make United a different side though, and with him on the XI, they do play a different game. Of late though, it has been Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford running the show and finding the net with real regularity. Dan James and the in and out Jesse Lingard are slightly off the ball right now but in this game, one of the biggest clashes in English football, form usually goes out the window. Injury wise, United will be without Scott McTominay again as well as Axel Tuanzebe and the irratic Marcos Rojo; all short to mid term absentees, whilst long term absentees Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah remain out.
The pros for Arsenal heading into this one are that they are undefeated in their last three league meetings against United, whilst the Red Devils have lost three of their last four league games away to the Gunners. No team in Premier League history has won more games than Arsenal on New Years Day (9) - an omen they'll be looking to improve upon come tomorrow. United also haven't won three league games in a row since OGS first took over, roughly a year ago.
An exciting and attacking game full of goals is expected with both teams being far better going forward than in defence, with two solid keepers being supported by weak back lines. However, Arsenal need three points, and what better time to get them at home to a bitter rival. Arteta needs to get his boys going again and ruining United's start to the year would also be the perfect for Arteta's Arsenal 2020.
Expected line up:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Hector Bellerin
CB: Dinos Mavropanos
CB: David Luiz
LB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles
CM: Lucas Torreira
CM: Granit Xhaka
CAM: Mesut Ozil
RW: Nicolas Pepe
ST: Alex Lacazette
LW: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Prediction: 2-1 to the Gunners for a much needed win
@craigbennett10
In Mikel Arteta's first home game last time out, there was another slight but gradual improvement. Although the final score didn't go the way of the Gunners there were good signs of progress throughout the squad. With injuries galore and a huge element of Emery-undoing to be done, Arteta has a real job on his hands right now and going forward.
On the injury front, Calum Chambers is a new addition and right now there are real fears that he could miss the rest of the season. And in all honesty, however long the absence is, he will be a real miss considering his good personal form of late. Although back in training today, Sokratis is likely to miss out again through concussion but Hector Bellerin could be available. This is likely to mean one of Mavropanos or Mustafi coming in to central defence, should Rob Holding not make it. In midfield, Dani Ceballos is back in the fold after completing a week's worth of full training and could be pivotal to refreshing the midfield. Granit Xhaka missed the Chelsea game through a reported illness but that could have been a cover up for his pending return to the Bundesliga in the winter transfer window, opening tomorrow but he could however still feature against United. His ball playing skills could be crucial in what is likely to be an end-to-end encounter. The other absentee that could now be available is the exciting Gabriel Martinelli. He is very unlikely to get the start however.
Mikel Arteta is seemingly keen on both Alex Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang in the same shape and of late, its been much better than we saw under Unai Emery. As result, it's expected to be the same again tomorrow. Fans have been screaming for Nicolas Pepe of late but against Chelsea, Reiss Nelson was probably as good as he has ever been so the young Englishman could keep his place. Mesut Ozil in the number ten role is back on track and looking near to his best, also. The increase in his performance and output will only benefit his colleagues more and more each game. He pretty much ran the show when Arsenal had the ball last time out, and if the Gunners are going to get any joy against United, the German playmaker will need to give more of the same.
Our visitors come into this one having rested their full backs last time out and both Aaron Wan Bissaka and Luke Shaw are expected to return to the starting line up. There are still big question marks over the fitness of Paul Pogba who's been in and out of the United squad over the last two games. OGS said he expected the Frenchman to travel to London with the side but there are still no guarantees. His game management and forward-thinking instincts really make United a different side though, and with him on the XI, they do play a different game. Of late though, it has been Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford running the show and finding the net with real regularity. Dan James and the in and out Jesse Lingard are slightly off the ball right now but in this game, one of the biggest clashes in English football, form usually goes out the window. Injury wise, United will be without Scott McTominay again as well as Axel Tuanzebe and the irratic Marcos Rojo; all short to mid term absentees, whilst long term absentees Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah remain out.
The pros for Arsenal heading into this one are that they are undefeated in their last three league meetings against United, whilst the Red Devils have lost three of their last four league games away to the Gunners. No team in Premier League history has won more games than Arsenal on New Years Day (9) - an omen they'll be looking to improve upon come tomorrow. United also haven't won three league games in a row since OGS first took over, roughly a year ago.
An exciting and attacking game full of goals is expected with both teams being far better going forward than in defence, with two solid keepers being supported by weak back lines. However, Arsenal need three points, and what better time to get them at home to a bitter rival. Arteta needs to get his boys going again and ruining United's start to the year would also be the perfect for Arteta's Arsenal 2020.
Expected line up:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Hector Bellerin
CB: Dinos Mavropanos
CB: David Luiz
LB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles
CM: Lucas Torreira
CM: Granit Xhaka
CAM: Mesut Ozil
RW: Nicolas Pepe
ST: Alex Lacazette
LW: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Prediction: 2-1 to the Gunners for a much needed win
@craigbennett10
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