Manchester United sank to new depths on Monday as they were deservedly thrashed 4-0 at Selhurst Park, and it could be another rough afternoon for Erik ten Hag’s men when Arsenal visit Old Trafford. The Gunners are still in the hunt for the Premier League title and made it four wins in a row with a 3-0 victory over Bournemouth last weekend. They are the Premier League’s top scorers with 88 goals and are coming up against a home side with a raft of injury concerns at the back.
Defensive woes continue for hosts In the absence of as many as seven first-team defenders, Jonny Evans and Casemiro are set to partner up at the back again on Sunday, reuniting the pairing that were mauled at Crystal Palace last time out. Casemiro in particular looked out of his depth against the likes of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, and he is unlikely to fare any better against a Gunners outfit that have scored 13 goals in their last four matches. Judging by recent performances, the Red Devils look to have downed tools now their Champions League aspirations are over and their opponents are very motivated as they take the title battle down to the wire. Mikel Arteta’s side have scored at least three goals in ten of their 16 Premier League games since the turn of the year and in each of their last five, including a 3-2 win at Spurs.
Manchester United have shipped 28 goals in their last nine matches, letting in at least three in five of those. Backing Arsenal to bag a hat-full looks good value. The visitors have kept a clean sheet in three of their last four, too, while Manchester United have only scored once in their last two games, making a repeat of Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth last weekend an appealing correct score option. Leandro Trossard, who has forced his way into the starting lineup in recent weeks, stands out in the anytime goalscorer market. The Belgian has the best goals-per-minute ratio of any other Arsenal player and has found the net in three of his last four starts.
There can be no denying that Trossard has been a monumental signing for Arsenal. At just £27m – which in modern money is nothing to a top club – he has delivered and delivered at crucial times more than once. 16 goals this season tells you how good he has been and the fact he is keeping Gabi Martinelli out of the team speaks volumes for how good he is. Trossard has had the sort of influence Mikel Arteta needed at just the right time. Of course, we all know Mudryk was a target as well. And he might well become a top player. But this feels like a sliding doors moment for the Gunners and one they’ll be delighted.
