The Premier League returns this weekend after the international break on Saturday with Manchester United welcoming Arsenal to Old Trafford. The Gunners, 4th on the league table are six points ahead of United who are sixth and are favourites to claim their first win in over ten years over United with a betting odd of 2.85
Arsene Wenger is yet to defeat Jose Mourinho who boasts of a record of seven wins and six draws against the Frenchman and Arsenal are still looking for their win over United; their last victory was in September 2006 when the only goal of the match was scored by Emmanuel Adebayor. The only time the Gunners enjoyed victory over United was in the FA Cup in 2015 when Danny Welbeck scored the winning goal against his former employers.
Their last victory at Old Trafford was in 2002, a record Wenger would want to erase this weekend. Mourinho has been a difficult puzzle for Wenger to solve and their rivalry which dated back to September 2004 will resume this weekend though with another club for the first time for Mourinho in the Premier League. The Gunners boss is yet to find a way through even when Chelsea were slipping last season he couldn’t lead his side to take advantage of that.
Despite United unimpressive form, defeating them might not come easy even though Arsenal have been unbeaten in 10 league games going into this match.
TEAM NEWS
Alexis Sanchez quashed every concern surrounding his fitness after putting up an impressive 84 minutes performance that included two goals in Chile’s 3-1 win over Uruguay. There had been news of the Arsenal Playmaker picking up a thigh injury when on international duty missing the qualifying match against Colombia. However it is not certain if Wenger would want to start him or introduce him from the bench.
Hector Bellerin is also likely to miss the game after picking an ankle injury when playing for Spain U21 side. Likewise Santi Cazorla is yet to recover fully from an Achilles injury.
Manchester United form has been a source of concern for Jose Mourinho and has made him to question the commitment of some of his players. He has been taken aback by their performances on the pitch and presently cut an unhappy figure at the club. He faces a dilemma of selecting his team. The upfront and the back are short of requirements.
Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is out after receiving his fifth yellow of the season. Wayne Rooney is doubtful after pulling out of England squad through injury. Centre-backs Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly are unavailable through injury while Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw may need a late test to ascertain their fitness.
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
MAN UTD XI: De Gea; Darmain, Jones, Rojo, Blind; Herrera, Fellaini, Pogba; Mata, Rooney; Rashford.
ARSENAL XI: Cech,; Jekinson, Mustafi, Koscienly, Monreal; Coquelin, Xhaka, Walcott, Ozil, Iwobi; Sanchez.
