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Preview: Man Utd v Arsenal, Team News, Line-Up & Prediction

By on February 27, 2016

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Arsenal have an excellent chance to make a real statement in the Premier League title race when we take on Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

Tuesday night’s Champions League defeat to Barcelona was disappointing but with our European adventure almost certainly over for another year, we can now concentrate on the league.

This season is so open we really have to take advantage and lift our first title since 2004, and getting a result at Old Trafford is going to be important as we have a pretty tough run-in.

We battered them 3-0 at the Emirates in October and this is the worst United team in recent memory so we should be going there with no fear and confident of getting the three points.

However, in order to do that, we have to start taking our chances. The boys have been woeful in front of goal in recent weeks with just six goals in our last eight games, so the likes of Sanchez, Giroud and Walcott have to step-up tomorrow.

Team News

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been ruled out with a knee injury so it’s going to be interesting to see who the boss selects to start on the right-wing.

Gabriel faces a late fitness test but is expected to return after recovering from a hamstring injury that’s kept him out in recent weeks.

Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla are in light training as they look to regain fitness following lengthy injuries but this game comes too soon for them.

Tomas Rosicky remains on the sidelines while Danny Welbeck is pushing for a start after impressing since returning from injury.

As for Man Utd, it comes as no surprise that David De Gea has recovered from a knee injury and will start in goal while Chris Smalling is also hoping to return from a minor should injury.

Anthony Martial is a doubt with a hamstring problem so he could join the likes of Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Phil Jones on the sidelines.

Preferred Line-up

If Gabriel is fit, I’d start him at the back. I’d also go with Theo Walcott on the right wing and start Welbeck up front. Olivier Giroud’s form in front of goal has been woeful of late and he looks like he needs a rest.

So this would be my line-up:

And here is how I expect Man Utd to line-up: De Gea, Varela, Smalling, Blind, Rojo, Carrick, Schneiderlin, Mata, Lingard, Depay, Rushford.

Prediction

This is a great opportunity for us to get a much-needed win at Old Trafford and give our title hopes a boost. United are there for the taking and if we want to be champions this season, we have to get a result tomorrow. If we start like we did against them at the Emirates we have the potential to blow them away again. I do expect this game to be a lot closer, but am going to back the boys to bring home the win.

Man Utd 1-2 Arsenal

COYG!!