Arsenal are looking to enter the top seven when they play hosts to Manchester United on Saturday. The Gunners are one of the most in-form teams in the Premier League at the moment, having secured five wins in their last six league matches. As a result, they are now trailing their arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur by just three points despite a horrendous start to the campaign.
Manchester United, on the other hand, faced a major blow in their title bid when they slumped to a 2-1 defeat to bottom Sheffield United in their last game. The loss allowed Manchester City to remain on top and potentially even extend their lead to four points. In addition, Liverpool secured an important victory over Tottenham, meaning this could be a must-win encounter for Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.
Arsenal Vs Manchester United Tactical Preview
Talking Tactics
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation that has worked wonderfully in recent weeks. The presence of a number ten has added more creative essence in the final third, and the Gunners will be hoping to execute their positional play this weekend. A lot could depend on the situation, however, as Arteta could even employ a deep-defensive block if they do get a lead, as they did in the reverse fixture.
Manchester United
Manchester United have improved a lot since their 1-0 defeat at Emirates. Solskjaer is likely to field a 4-2-3-1 formation, hoping that his pacy attackers like Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial can get the better of an Arsenal defence that can be quite vulnerable, at times. Nevertheless, a lot of their creative play is going to revolve around Bruno Fernandes.
Team News
Arsenal
Arteta could face a few injury-related issues heading into this game. Kieran Tierney has missed the last couple of matches and looks unlikely to return while both Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey picked up knocks in the last game. In addition, star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continues to remain out due to personal reasons, though Martin Odegaard might be an option after joining from Real Madrid.
Predicted Lineup: Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Luiz, Cedric; Xhaka, Elneny; Saka, Willian, Pepe; Lacazette
Manchester United
A fair amount of first-team players were in Manchester United’s squad against Sheffield United. The two centre-backs in Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly are doubts for this game as well, though we expect the former to recover in time. Fred could return to the side as well, along with Scott McTominay and potentially, Edinson Cavani among many others.
Predicted Lineup: de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Rashford, Fernandes, Martial; Cavani
Key Men
Arsenal
Alexandre Lacazette is by far the most in-form player for Arsenal at the moment. He has been quite inspiring in front of goal, having been involved in six goals in the last six matches. His contributions in the final third could once again be critical for the home side in this encounter.
Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes could once again take the centre stage for Manchester United, having become the most important player for Solskjaer’s men. His creativity and ability to thread the opposition backline could be vital as the Red Devils look to get the better of the Arsenal defence this weekend.
