Arsenal – Manchester United (Premier League)
The so awaited confrontation between Jose Mourinho and Arsène Wenger will take place this Saturday afternoon at the Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal and Manchester United in action for matchday 15th of the Premier League. The Gunners warmed up for the reception of Manchester United with a thumping 5-0 win over Huddersfield, on Wednesday. United, on their turn, arrive here after a 2-4 victory at Vicarage Road, against Watford, and need to keep on winning ways in order not to lose more ground in the title race with Manchester City.
Arsenal are 4th placed in the league with 28 points, result of 9 wins, 1 draw and 4 defeats, with 28 goals scored and 16 goals scored. The Gunners are enjoying a good campaign in the Premier League, having won 5 of their last 6 consecutive matches in the competition, have secured access to the EFL Cup quarter finals, and are already qualified for the next stage of Europa League as group leaders. At this momento, Arsenal are almost out of the title race, with Manchester City leading the competition with 40 points, the best thing that Arsenal can still dream of is stealing the 2nd position in the league table from Manchester United, who is only 4 points above.
Still, losing here is unacceptable, not only because of the huge rivalry between Arsène Wenger and Jose Mourinho, but also because the London side can quickly fall out of european spots in the league table. It is at home that the Gunners are more comfortable, winning all the 7 matches played here in the Premier League, with 20 goals scored and 4 goals conceded. The Gunners are the third team with more goals scored in the Premier League, with Lacazette and Sánchez being the team best scorers with 7 and 4 goals, respectively. However, the team is failing in what defensive organization is concerned, with great difficulty in stopping counter-attacks and stopping opponents from creating chances, with the team also showing difficulties in avoiding fouls in dangerous areas.
In their last 5 official matches, Arsenal has a record of 3 wins and 2 defeats. This sequence of results started with a 3-1 win against Manchester City. This result was followed by a 2-0 win against Tottenham, a 1-0 defeat against FC Koln, for the Europa League, a 0-1 victory over Burnley, and in their last match, a 5-0 win against Huddersfield Town. Santi Cazorla and Lacazette are both out due to injury.
Probable Lineup: Cech – Koscielny, Mustafi and Monreal – Bellerín, Ramsey, Xhaka and Kolasinac – Ozil and Welbeck – Sánchez.
Manchester United, on their turn, are 2nd placed in the league with 32 points, result of 10 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats, with 32 goals scored and 8 goals conceded. United are achieving a much more positive season than they did last year and are the closest team to the top of the table, although they are 8 points behind leader Manchester City, and are 3 points clear of 3rd placed Chelsea. Their performance is not only being very positive in the Premier League, but also in other competitions, having already secured a place in the EFL Cup quarter finals, and in are already qualified to round of 16 of the Champions League as Group A leaders. Away from home, Manchester United have only won 3 of their 7 matches, losing 2, with 12 goals scored and 7 goals conceded.
As usual in José Mourinho’s teams, this is the team with fewest goals conceded in the Premier League, and is the 2nd team with more goals scored. with the Portuguese coach working detail by detail his team’s defensive organization. The Red Devils are strong in attacking set pieces, finishing scoring chances and in attacking dow the wings, but stand out for their lethality in counter-attacks. United is stronger now since they have Paul Pogba and Ibrahimovic back from injury, but recent casualties have weakened the team once again. For Mourinho it is inadmissible to be defeated by Wenger, and the Portuguese coach will inject a good dose of aggressiveness and fighting spirit in his players in order to avoid that. Also, in order to catch the Citizens, the defeat here is unthinkable.
In their last 5 official matches, Manchester United has a record of 3 victories and 2 defeats. This sequence of results started with a 1-0 defeat against Chelsea. This result was followed by a 4-1 win over Newcastle, a 1-0 defeat against Basel, for the Champions League, a 1-0 defeat against Brighton, and in their last match, a 2-4 win over Watford. Carrick is still out due to injury, while Fellaini, Matic, Bailly and Phil Jones being doubts, all recovering from physical problems. Jose Mourinho is expected to stick with a back three on Saturday and will not change the personnel unless Phil Jones or Eric Bailly can recover from their own injury concerns.
Probable Lineup: Gea – Lindelof, Smalling and Rojo – Herrera, Pogba, Fellaini, Valencia and Young – Lukaku and Rashford.
Arsenal won 3 of their last 8 direct clashes, drawing 3 and losing the remaining 2. As for the coaches, José Mourinho have beaten Wenger 8 times, drawing 7 and losing only 2.
Arsenal | 2-0 | Manchester United |
Premier League 2016/17
|
Manchester United | 1-1 | Arsenal |
Premier League 2016/17
|
Manchester United | 3-2 | Arsenal |
Premier League 2015/16
|
Arsenal | 3-0 | Manchester United |
Premier League 2015/16
|
Manchester United | 1-1 | Arsenal |
Premier League 2014/15
|
Manchester United | 1-2 | Arsenal |
FA Cup 14/15
|
Arsenal | 1-2 | Manchester United |
Premier League 2014/15
|
Arsenal | 0-0 | Manchester United |
Premier League 2013/14
|
The most awaited match of weekend has finally come. Arsenal are in great form at the Emirates Stadium, but Manchester United appear to have a more organized set in both sectors, defending very well and being lethal on the counter-attack, with Rashford standing out in this kind of transition. Knowing the methods of José Mourinho, it is to be expected that the Portuguese coach have a meticulously studied plan to leave London with, at least, a draw.