Judging from the Premier League table, this could look like an easy game for Manchester United. After all, they are challenging for the title while Arsenal were in genuine danger of being caught in the middle of a relegation fight around a month ago before they managed to steady the ship.
But in reality, this match is much tighter than it appears at first glance. If you have learned anything from this season, it is that anything can happen in the Premier League. Just look at the Red Devils’ journey from losing 6-1 against Tottenham Hotspur at home to reaching the top of the table.
Arsenal are a side in form at the moment and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men cannot afford to take them lightly. Mikel Arteta’s side already have a win over them this season.
Even then, you would think that United are the favourites heading into the game. Before their defeat to Sheffield United in midweek, they had last lost a league game back in early November, against Arsenal funnily enough. Thus, there is no need to panic as Solskjaer’s men have already shown that they are good enough to squeeze out results, even when they are not at the top of their game.
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Here’s how we think Manchester United will line up against Arsenal tonight:
David de Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Fred, Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani.
It is time to accept that Anthony Martial is completely out of form at the moment. And the arrival of Cavani appears to have had the opposite effect to what the club would have expected as it does look like the Frenchman is feeling the pressure of having to compete with the Uruguayan.
Tonight, it might be time for Solskjaer to give experience a nod over youth and potential. And to be very honest, Cavani deserves a chance to show that he can be a regular starter for United, even at the age of 33.
The rest of the team is pretty straightforward though. De Gea should keep his place in goal. Also expect Lindelof and Shaw to make their return after a dodgy defensive performance in midweek. The duo of Fred and McTominay should also be back in midfield with the likes of Pogba, Fernandes and Rashford sitting ahead of them.