Can Manchester United condemn Arsenal to further weeks in the doldrums?
The showpiece fixture on New Year’s Day pits Champions League-chasing Manchester United against an Arsenal side who are seriously, seriously struggling.
The Gunners, under the stewardship of Mikel Arteta, are closer to the relegation zone than they are to Manchester United in 5th (who aren’t exactly world beaters themselves), and if they carry on with this sort of form—bearing in mind they’ve won as many matches as Aston Villa, who are in the bottom three—they will become embroiled in a relegation battle.
It has to be said Arsenal were unlucky against Chelsea last time out; a Bernd Leno mistake with seven minutes left wasn’t exactly ideal, however capitulating to concede again so soon after was avoidable, and summed the side up.
Looking at the prices, it’s Manchester United who are a far more appealing prospect to back. The Red Devils have already beaten Chelsea, Leicester, Spurs and Man City this season—as well as drawing with Liverpool—so while their inconsistency has cost them dearly this campaign, on their day they can beat anyone. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer just has to squeeze this quality out of them more often.
United have won on two of their last three visits to The Emirates, and there’s every chance they extend Arsenal’s losing run at home to four matches. The visitors are showing glimpses of improvement, while Arteta has a huge job on his hands to prevent Arsenal’s downward slide.
My money is with the visitors.
I’m also backing in-form Marcus Rashford to score at any time.
The England man has scored in eight of United’s last 12 league matches, as well as in four of their last six on the road.
Furthermore, Arsenal have conceded 17 goals in 10 home games—only West Ham, Norwich and Southampton have conceded more—which will be of great interest to Rashford.
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