Gunners firing on all cylinders
Once billed as one of the games that would decide the destiny of the Premier League title, this season the match will go some way to deciding who ends up in fourth place. Currently though, just one of these appear capable of such a finish.
Man. United
We’re not even halfway through the domestic campaign and already it looks like being a disastrous one for Man United. Not only are they having to contend with their near neighbours and fierce rivals steamrolling their way over teams and looking well set to retain their title, they’re having to do so from afar without mounting anything close to a challenge.
The current gap between the Manchester clubs stands at 16 points, unthinkable at this stage you would have thought. But having made their worst start to a season in 28 years, they’re lucky perhaps the gap stands at just 16.
So far off the pace they resemble a bunch of strangers
It’s hard to recall a standout performance from this side. With the exception of the Chelsea game at Stamford Bridge, they’ve stuttered along and spluttered their way to fortunate wins. The fact they’ve just recorded two successive draws against teams struggling to keep their heads above water in Crystal Palace and Southampton says it all about where this side is at present.
The Old Trafford faithful are owed a big performance but the team are so far off the pace they resemble a bunch of strangers taking to the field. The spirit of the whole club is in stark contrast to that of the visitors and it’s hard to recall the morale in a Manchester United dressing room being as low as it is.
Arsenal
The visitors to The Theatre of Dreams couldn’t have envisaged things going as well as they have under their new manager. An outstanding derby victory over Spurs extended The Gunners’ unbeaten record in all competitions to 19 – an impressive feat for any side, let alone one in its infancy under a new coach.
They won’t be resting on their laurels though according to Unai Emery. The first-class display full of intensity and bite against Spurs will serve merely as a benchmark to how Arsenal will play going forwards under the stewardship of the Spaniard.
It all seems to be coming together for Arsenal
As well as getting one over their neighbours, you sense the result on Sunday was also Arsenal laying down a marker. Critics had suggested they had yet to beat anybody of real significance during their sequence of games undefeated. Well, now they have. And emphatically too.
It all seems to be coming together for Arsenal at the moment who are on a roll and may take some stopping on current from. Taking three points with them back to London wouldn’t be a surprise at all and may in fact see this new Arsenal come of age.
Match Tip
With the quick turnaround in games, there’s the chance the quality of the football on display may take a hit. However, Arsenal have showed they can mix it up a bit now and I fully expect them to roll up their sleeves if needed. I’m backing Arsenal based on what they’ve shown us over the last few weeks. Wagering a Draw No Bet covers the possibility of a draw.
Nick's tip: Arsenal DNB at best market odds of 6/5 (2.16) with Unibet.
