Arsenal will be looking to close the gap at the top of the table with a win over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
Our title challenge was derailed by a disastrous run of results in October and November that saw us go four games without a win in the Premier League. Defeats to Bournemouth and Newcastle coupled with draws against Liverpool and Chelsea left Arsenal sitting outside the top four and nine points adrift of the league leaders.
However, Mikel Arteta has got his Gunners firing again as we eased to a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest after the November international break with Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey and Ethan Nwaneri all getting on the scoresheet. Arsenal then produced one of their best performances of the season as we thrashed Sporting Lisbon 5-1 in the Champions League with five different players getting among the goals.
We continued our excellent recent form with another five-star display at the weekend. This time, we scored five times in the opening forty-five minutes to secure a 5-2 win at West Ham. Gabriel Magalhaes opened the scoring before Leandro Trossard made it 2-0 following a superb move involving Saka and Martin Odegaard. The skipper then made it 3-0 from the spot before Kai Havertz raced clear to make it 4-0. West Ham pulled two back in quick succession but Saka made it 5-2 from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time.
The victory at the London Stadium moved Arsenal up to second place in the table – level on points with Chelsea and two ahead of Man City. However, we remain nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool after their comfortable 2-0 win over the defending champions at Anfield on Sunday. The Reds are threatening to run away with the title race and given City’s shocking form right now, it’s down to Arsenal to try and apply some pressure on the Merseysiders.
We have a huge midweek fixture list to look forward to with all the main players in action. Arsenal versus Manchester United is undoubtedly the biggest game on Wednesday night, but Liverpool taking on Newcastle United at St James’ Park is a close second. Chelsea also face Southampton at St Mary’s while Man City will be looking to get back to winning ways at home to Nottingham Forest. This could be a pivotal midweek schedule and it’s vital Arsenal continue their recent run with a high profile win over a resurgent United.
I’d have been extremely confident of a crushing Arsenal win a few weeks ago while Erik ten Hag was still in charge. However, United have turned a corner since sacking the Dutchman and look re-energised under new boss Ruben Amorim. United are unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions and head to North London on Wednesday night off the back of an impressive 4-0 win over Everton, so this should be a tough game for Arsenal.
How to watch
Understandably, the game has been selected for live broadcast and will be shown on Amazon Prime, kicking off at 8pm UK time.
Tickets from the clubs will already be sold out but match going supporters can still buy tickets for the game via a reputable reseller such as Seatsnet.com.
Team news
Arsenal have a number of injury concerns to worry about ahead of the game. Ben White has been ruled out for ‘months’ after undergoing knee surgery so he’s not expected to be available again until well into 2025.
Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off during the win over West Ham due to a knock that had troubled him in Lisbon last week. The Brazilian international will need to be assessed before his availability is determined on Wednesday night.
Thomas Partey missed the win over the Hammers due to a muscle injury and he’ll also need a late fitness test. Fellow midfielder Mikel Merino also sat out the trip to the London Stadium at the weekend due to a knee problem and is a doubt to face Man Utd.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is still working his way back from a knee injury that’s kept him out for most of the season.
As for Man Utd, they’ll be without Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo due to suspension after they picked up their fifth bookings of the season against Everton.
Leny Yoro is pushing to make the squad as he bids to return from an ankle injury but Victor Lindelof is set to miss out with a groin problem. Jonny Evans is also a doubt for the trip to the Emirates.
Predicted line-ups
Arteta has some injury concerns heading into the game but I expect we’ll see a few players passed fit. Riccardo Calafiori felt his groin during the win over West Ham and was replaced in the second half but he should still be fit to start in defence. Gabriel is also likely to be available as his withdrawal on Saturday was precautionary so he should line-up alongside William Saliba.
If Partey or Merino are fit, either one could replace Jorginho in the middle of the park as it’s a big ask for the Italian to start again – especially in such an intense game. Odegaard and Declan Rice will keep their places while Saka and Havertz are guaranteed starters for Arsenal. We could see Gabriel Martinelli recalled to replace Trossard on the left wing.
As for United, Harry Maguire should start with Martinez out while Casemiro could partner Manuel Ugarte in the middle of the park. Luke Shaw may get a start after returning to fitness while Joshua Zirkzee may have played himself in to a starting spot in attack along with Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund.
Likely Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Likely Man Utd XI: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire; Diallo, Casemiro, Ugarte, Shaw; Zirkzee, Fernandes; Hojlund
Predicted score
This is a huge game for Arsenal and we simply cannot afford to slip up if we want to maintain hopes of catching Liverpool. We need to keep the pressure on by winning games and we should be confident of doing so on Wednesday night despite United’s recent uptick in form.
We are still a much more rounded team compared to United and we should have too much for them at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal have had the better of things in this fixture in recent years and I think that will continue here. I’m expecting an entertaining game but fancy Arsenal to claim an important three points. Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd