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Arsenal Take Title Hunt to Old Trafford as Man Utd Crave Restoring Parity
Arsenal’s attempt at winning a first Premier League title in 20 years faces another test at Old Trafford tomorrow as they battle sleeping giants, Manchester United in an encounter any other result than a win for the Gunners may end their title aspirations. Mikel Arteta’s men are top of the table with a point advantage over second placed Manchester City, who have a game on hand but the North London side are very much aware that only a win at the Theater of Dreams can keep their title aspirations alive. Meanwhile, having been pummelled in their last match 4-0 by Crystal Palace, Erik ten Hag’s side knew they have to be at their best to get something against a sleekly Arsenal side. With pride to play for, it would never be a walk in the park for Arsenal
Sunday’s solitary Premier League offering sees a pair of English football powerhouses scrap it out at Old Trafford, as Manchester United welcome Arsenal to their crumbling fortress.
Erik ten Hag’s men are reeling from their embarrassing 4-0 thrashing at Crystal Palace on Monday night, while the Gunners eventually wore down the Bournemouth defences in a 3-0 win last weekend.
Just when Man United’s forgettable 2023-24 season could seemingly not reach a lower ebb, Crystal Palace completed their first-ever league double over the Red Devils in astonishing fashion on Monday night, hitting Ten Hag’s disorganised troops for four without reply at Selhurst Park.
Michael Olise – allegedly a summer transfer target for Man United added a few more pounds to his value with a brilliant brace in the capital, while Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell also got in on the act to condemn the Red Devils to an 18th loss of the season in all competitions and their 13th in the Premier League, a new unwanted record.
Man United’s Champions League hopes had long since evaporated before being blown to Selhurst smithereens, and earning just one win from their last seven Premier League contests leaves the Red Devils outside of European contention completely as far as the standings are concerned, sitting in eighth spot but only behind Chelsea on goal difference.
Of course, Ten Hag’s charges could earn a golden ticket to the Europa League via the FA Cup glory route, with two weeks to go until a repeat of last year’s final with Manchester City, and stardom in the Wembley sunshine will likely be Ten Hag’s last saving grace before he vacates the hotseat to a new name this summer.
Shipping four goals to the Eagles on Monday night also took Man United’s conceded column for all tournaments this season to an alarming 81 – their worst tally since the 1976-77 term – although Arsenal will not be underestimating the Old Trafford factor; Ten Hag’s side have scored in all of their Premier League home matches in 2024 so far.
On the flip side, the ball just would not go into the back of the Bournemouth net for Arsenal during their last Saturday lunchtime showdown against the Cherries, who produced more blocks than a beleaguered boxer at the Emirates until a controversial penalty decision went the Gunners’ way.
Bukayo Saka did what he does best from the 12-yard mark to settle any Arsenal nerves, before Declan Rice both set up Leandro Trossard and fired in a low strike of his own from a tight angle to ultimately ensure a straightforward Gunners success, albeit one where their visitors also had a goal questionably ruled out.
As Andoni Iraola was left to lament the contentious officiating calls, Mikel Arteta and co rejoiced in a fourth straight Premier League win, one which leaves them one point clear of Manchester City at the summit for now, but the champions can reclaim their rightful spot at the top by defeating Fulham today.
The Citizens’ game in hand means that not even perfection between now and the end of the season may be enough for Arsenal, but the Gunners head north having amassed 22 points from a possible 24 in Premier League away matches since the turn of the year, and a Theatre of Dreams triumph would see the visitors set a new club record for single-season Premier League wins with 27.
Arteta’s men produced one of their late shows to best Man United 3-1 at the Emirates back in September, but their perfect start to the 2022-23 season was snapped in this exact fixture by the same scoreline, and not since the 2006-07 season, when Emmanuel Adebayor was the Old Trafford hero, have Arsenal done the double over their faltering foes.
