Just like old times. Although not the truly dominant forces they were during the 90’s and the 00’s, Manchester United and Arsenal both find themselves in the top four ahead of their first meeting of the season.
United, who currently sit atop the Premier League table for the first time in two years, will look to maintain their spot as they travel to face a struggling Arsenal side coming off another stunning loss in Europe.
Read on for our preview of Sunday’s marquee Premier League matchup. Meanwhile, don’t miss out on the top matchups from Week 5 of that other football – NCAA college football- right here.
[sc:Football ]Arsenal vs. Manchester United Preview
Where: Emirates Stadium, London
When: Sunday, October 4, 11:00 AM ET
Line: Arsenal -108 vs. Manchester United +232, tie +245; total 2.5 – view all EPL lines
Betting on Arsenal
Arsenal suffered a second humiliating loss in as many matches in the Champions League as they fell 3-2 at home to Olympiakos in midweek. It was a shocking defensive display from the Gunners, who were even accused by an Olympiakos player of not wanting to defend.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The last time Arsenal lost in the Champions League – 2-1 to Dinamo Zagreb – they lost to Chelsea 2-0 in the following weekend. The Gunners bounced back to beat Leicester, 5-2, and are currently fourth in the table. But they will have to improve mightily on the defensive part of their game against visiting Manchester United to avoid a repeat performance.
The return of Petr Cech in goal in place of the calamitous David Ospina, who fumbled the ball into his own goal against Olympiakos, should definitely be a big upgrade.
The Gunners have very few problems going forward, though, and should threaten a United defense showing a few weak spots at the back. The pace and movement of Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott, who can both play out wide and through the middle, will be a handful to contain.
Both strikers scored against Olympiakos to continue their rich vein of form. Alexis now has four goals in his last two games after netting a hat-trick in Arsenal’s win over Leicester. Meanwhile, Walcott has scored four in his last six appearances in all competitions.
Arsenal have been very tough to beat at home over the last few seasons. They’re unbeaten in 35 out of their last 38 Premier League matches at the Emirates.
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Betting on Manchester United
Make that four wins in a row in all competitions for Manchester United after they came from behind to beat Wolfsburg 2-1 in the Champions League in midweek.
The Red Devils have rediscovered their goal scoring touch over the past couple of weeks. They’ve scored three goals in four of their last six matches in all competitions, which include their last three Premier League matches. They’ve won all three of those matches, which is why they currently sit one point clear atop the league table heading into the weekend.
A huge part of that resurgence is due to the electric form of Anthony Martial and Juan Mata up front. The 19-year old Martial has kicked the United attack into another gear ever since his debut against Liverpool. He has four goals in six appearances thus far, three coming in the league. Meanwhile, Mata has three goals and two assists in his last four matches.
Look for Martial, Mata and the rest of the United attack to continue working their magic against an Arsenal defense that has surrendered at least two goals in four of their last five matches in all competitions.
Meanwhile, United also have the necessary steel in midfield with Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger (or possibly Michael Carrick), who are fully capable of dictating play against an Arsenal midfield that can still lack balance between attack and defense.
United have a terrific away record against Arsenal, winning three and losing just one in the last six meetings.
Writer’s Prediction
Manchester United (+232) continue their exceptional record at the Emirates with a 2-1 win over the Arsenal.
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