Arsenal’s annual ritual of its team and its manager getting criticised for not being good enough seems to have arrived a tad early. Arsene Wenger’s 19th anniversary at the club should have been a joyous occasion, but when table-topper Manchester United visits the Emirates, the atmosphere is sure to be grim and devoid of all fanfare. That Arsenal has not beaten its big rival in over four years in the league will only add to it.
On paper, the Gunners are just three points behind United. While there is a sense that the latter is constantly improving under Louis van Gaal, Arsenal’s staggering display of inconsistency looks to have taken root again. The momentum of the 5-2 win over Leicester City ended with a crushing loss 3-2 home loss against Olympiakos in the Champions League on Tuesday.
How Arsenal shapes up will be interesting. Francis Coquelin has not quite displayed last year’s form and there is every chance that Arsenal could be overrun in the midfield if he doesn’t step up. On the other hand, United has perhaps the three best holding midfielders in the league in Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger and the fit-again Michael Carrick.
If the home side chooses to play on the break, Alexis Sanchez's pace could trouble United. Also with the visitors struggling to fill the right-back role after Matteo Darmian moved to the left in light of Luke Shaw’s injury, it’s a space that Sanchez can very well exploit.
For United, amidst Wayne Rooney’s dwindling abilities, Anthony Martial’s skill to run at defenders and beat opponents has given a new dimension. His duel with centre-back Gabriel Paulista, who is set to return from his suspension, will be keenly watched. Gabriel’s partner Laurent Koscielny is out with a hamstring injury and will be replaced by Per Mertesacker.
