The Premier League is back this weekend and one of its most famous fixtures kicks off at 4:30pm on Sunday – Man United v Arsenal – but it’s not quite Fergie v Wenger anymore.
The Red Devils saw more hope extinguished last weekend when Fulham knocked them out of the cup, but a draw on Thursday night in San Sebastien means their Europa League ambitions still flicker – for now – while Arsenal saw their slim title dreams slip further away with a 0-0 draw against Wolves, but then destroyed PSV in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Big man Peter Crouch assesses both sides ahead of their Old Trafford clash on Sunday – and remember, Paddy’s Super Sub offer means your Premier League player bets rolls on even if your player selection gets taken off early…
Man United V Arsenal Bet Builder
Arsenal to win
Ethan Nwaneri to score or assist
Joshua Zirkzee to be fouled 1+ times
Mikel Merino to commit 2+ fouls
A bet builder with these selections pays at approximately 5/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP
WHEN: Sunday, March 9, 4:30pm
WHERE: Old Trafford, Manchester
TV: Sky Sports Main Event
I often feel there’s too much negativity surrounding Arsenal. It comes from the fact they’ve been crying out for that goalscorer for a while, and everyone knows they need it.
But you can’t always buy exactly what you want. Certainly in January it’s difficult. We saw talk of Ollie Watkins but that was never going to work out.
That means they are now looking at a big summer, but it’s not as if they need a rebuild.
Look at the positives – their midfield is strong, defensively they’re very good, they’ve promising young players coming through like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Everyone knows their issues at centre-forward, but if they get their squad fit and add a little bit of quality up-front they’re looking good.
The negativity around them is ridiculous in my opinion. They’ve built something pretty good though over the last few years and they really aren’t far away from winning the something, Liverpool have just been close to flawless this season.
Even without Saka and the other injured players, they still scored seven in midweek against PSV too. They’re no mugs, they got through the league stage of the Champions League, and I think it shows Arsenal can still score even if they are missing that centre-forward right now.
Certainly they can do against Man United on Sunday.
They gave a good account of themselves against Real Sociedad, which they should take confidence from. They got a draw, and when you’re playing badly and lining out in front of an expectant crowd at home every week, sometimes you would rather be on the road for a game or two.
The home crowd can add to the pressure, especially when things aren’t going well. You’ve got to be willing to put your foot on the ball and not give it away, to be willing to take chance and not play it safe.
I always think Bruno Fernandes is the only one in the United side at the moment who seems like he can do that. Joshua Zirkzee has shown a little bit more recently, Alejandro Garnacho is a threat too, but Rasmus Hojlund is still struggling, and beyond those, there really isn’t much else in the team right now.
Ruben Amorim has inherited the weakest Man United team we have seen in a very long time, but we have to start seeing some sign that his system is the way forward, and there hasn’t been enough of them so far. Of course, he can have a big summer and look to rebuild the team from their but we need to see more now too. They’ve got to show something.
Arsenal to win
I do not expect to see a turnaround against Arsenal though. My scoreline prediction in the podcast this week was 3-1. It could maybe end up a little bit tighter than that, but I think they win for sure.
Ethan Nwaneri to score or assist
I’d look at Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri as the danger men with quite a few of Arsenal’s usual scorers out. They both scored in midweek and Nwaneri looks an exciting young player so I’d fancy him to score or assist on Sunday.
Joshua Zirkzee to be fouled 1+ times
I often look at Bruno as that player who can do something for United, but Zirkzee has come on a bit recently and should be involved here. It seems likely he’ll draw at least one foul.
Mikel Merino to commit 2+ fouls
Since he’s been playing as a make-shift forward he has committed quite a few fouls – he’s had 10 in his last three games – and I’ll back that trend to continue on Sunday.
Peter Crouch’s Man United v Arsenal Bet Builder
Arsenal to win
Ethan Nwaneri to score or assist
Joshua Zirkzee to be fouled 1+ times
Mikel Merino to commit 2+ fouls
A bet builder with these selections pays at approximately 5/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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