Few fixtures in Premier League historical past evoke reminiscences fairly like clashes between Arsenal and Manchester United. Whereas the golf equipment’ respective glories could have pale since their era-defining rivalry of the late Nineties and early 2000s, Sunday’s recreation feels essential within the context of this yr’s title race.
Gunning for glory
Regardless of having fun with a seven-point lead on the high, consecutive 0-0 attracts for Arsenal imply they’ve failed to totally reap the benefits of the faltering type of Manchester Metropolis, Aston Villa and Liverpool within the chasing pack.
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A formidable 3-1 win over Inter Milan on the San Siro on Tuesday ensured a top-two end within the league part of the Champions League for Mikel Arteta’s facet. They have not at all times been at their greatest after European video games this season although, drawing three of their subsequent league fixtures and counting on a stoppage-time personal aim to beat backside facet Wolves.
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“Assault wins you video games, defence wins you titles.” That was the motto of Sir Alex Ferguson, so usually Arsenal’s nemesis on the flip of the century.
Simply 14 league objectives conceded makes the Gunners’ defence the meanest within the high flight, and Arteta shall be hoping William Saliba’s imperious type continues as they search to convey the title again to north London after a 22-year absence.
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Arsenal have conceded simply 90 objectives in 118 Premier League video games with the Frenchman on the pitch, a mean of 1 each 115 minutes. Amongst Gunners gamers to have performed not less than 10,000 minutes within the competitors, solely the legendary Tony Adams (one each 118 minutes) has a greater ratio.
What Bruno does greatest
Michael Carrick’s Manchester United will undoubtedly have a spring of their step after final week’s 2-0 derby victory over Arsenal’s closest challengers, Manchester Metropolis.
Bruno Fernandes’ help for Bryan Mbeumo’s opener in that recreation was certainly one of six alternatives he carved out for his team-mates, taking him to a complete of 600 probabilities created within the league.
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It was an incisive cross typical of a participant who has dictated United’s attacking play from the second he joined the Purple Devils. Within the six years since, no-one within the league has created extra probabilities or massive probabilities than the Portuguese playmaker.
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Can Carrick conjure repeat?
Carrick will take confidence from the actual fact he has received the higher of Arteta earlier than within the dugout. United received 3-2 at Previous Trafford through the Englishman’s transient interim spell in cost in December 2021.
United, nonetheless, are winless of their final six Premier League video games in opposition to Arsenal (drawn one, misplaced 5) – they’ve by no means gone seven in a row and not using a win in opposition to the Gunners.
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At Emirates Stadium, their report makes for even worse studying. You must return to December 2017, a 3-1 triumph underneath Jose Mourinho throughout Arsene Wenger’s last season, to seek out their final league victory there – a sorry run of 1 win in 9.
Fifth-placed United have confirmed themselves adept at benefiting from set items this season, with 13 league objectives coming from dead-ball conditions, excluding penalties. The one crew to raised that report? Arsenal, with 14.