The Gunners host an in-form United side.
Arsenal host a surging Manchester United at the Emirates in the marquee matchup of the Premier League weekend. The Gunners are looking to restore their seven-point lead atop the table. United would move into fourth place with a win. Lately, the fixture has had neither the venom nor the importance that it did during the Wenger-Ferguson years, but today’s contest should be much closer to that level than recent Arsenal-United games. And we all (should) still proper hate Manchester United.
Much of the talk heading into the match has been about Manchester United’s recent form, highlighted by their convincing 2-0 win over Manchester City last weekend in Michael Carrick’s first match in charge. The Reds have lost just one of their last ten Premier League matches (4W, 5D). Are they better than they were for most of the season? I’m not sure. The results are definitely better.
Arsenal played arguably their worst match of the season in the opener at Old Trafford. The match is the only time you could legitimately argue that the Gunners were outplayed. But Riccardo Calafiori’s 13th minute goal held up, thanks to strong defender and solid goalkeeping. I’d bet Arsenal are primed to make amends for their lackluster showing on opening day.
Mikel Arteta welcomed Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori back to training late in the week. Today’s match might be too early for either defender to feature, but they should be back soon. There were reports earlier this week that Kai Havertz had a small setback in his return from a knee injury that kept him out of the matchday squad against Inter Milan, but Mikel Arteta didn’t seem too concerned, saying he expected the German attacker to be back in the squad soon. Max Dowman is still out with the ankle injury suffered in a closed-doors friendly against Manchester United. The young winger is expected back sometime in February.
UPDATE: Piero Hincapie starts at right back for the Gunners.
United will be without Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutch centerback has been out since late November with a back problem and is progressing slower than expected in his recovery. The club are hopeful he’ll be available sometime in February. Zirkzee was a surprise absence for the Reds against Manchester City. Reports are that his undisclosed injury will keep him out of the lineup into February.
Arsenal – Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard, Saka, Trossard, Jesus
United – Lammens, Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes, Dorgu, Amad, Mbuemo
For all your international streaming needs, check LiveSoccerTV.com. Please do not share or discuss links to illegal streams here.
Category: General Sports
