Old Trafford is set to host one of the best Premier League clashes this Sunday (9), but the fight between Manchester United and Arsenal is different this time around. In past seasons, this match would usually be a head-to-head battle in first place. Today, both teams are coming into the game trying to salvage their season.
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The Red Devils, trapped in crisis in the hands of Ruben Amorim, are a sorry 15th with just 33 points. A home loss to Arsenal could send the crisis deeper. The Gunners, for their part, who used to dream about the Premier League title, have been overtaken by Liverpool. They now want to solidify their second place and increase their 54 points.
United struggling, Arsenal frustrated
Manchester United is having one of the worst seasons in recent times. In their previous four Premier League matches, they have won just one and have already been eliminated from the FA Cup. The Europa League is Ruben Amorim's only hope remaining, but even in European competition, the Red Devils are not persuasive. Their draw against Real Sociedad showed a team lacking intensity, physically drained, and lacking a visible tactical strategy.
The manager himself confessed: "We need to survive on Sunday. The team was quite exhausted in the last 20 minutes [vs. Real Sociedad]. All matches in the Premier League are very important. At this stage, we need to win."
At the same time, far from ideal is Arsenal's situation. Mikel Arteta's side was a title candidate at one point, only for a sequence of poor performances to ruin their title chances. Now 16 points behind Liverpool, the Gunners are only fighting to secure the best possible finish.
But there is a double historical motivation for Arteta's team. Arsenal have the potential to become the first team to win away at Old Trafford in two successive home-and-away seasons since 1979. The Gunners also have the potential to be the first team to beat United five in a row in the Premier League era. If ever there was going to be the right time to cash in on their arch-rivals' weakness, this is it.
Injuries, absences, and a volatile match
The two teams enter the meeting with serious injuries and starting lineup concerns. For Arsenal, the absence of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli is a significant loss, depriving the attack of pace and creativity. Added to the concern is the unavailability of Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
However, Arteta wants his soldiers to stay on their toes and insists that they perform at top level: "The way we [beat PSV] encouraged everyone, but that's yesterday. It's about what we do today, preparing for tomorrow, and trying to repeat an outstanding performance."
It is less for Manchester United. Ruben Amorim has a gargantuan headache in selecting his defense. Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte were rested out against Real Sociedad and are uncertain for Sunday. Patrick Dorgu is suspended, and others such as Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Jonny Evans, and Luke Shaw remain injured.
The largest absentee, however, is Lisandro Martínez, who will miss the season following ACL surgery.
In this case, Manchester United will be forced to attempt to avoid catastrophe in front of their own supporters. While Arsenal sees that they can capitalise fully on the misfortune of their greatest rivals and cement their place in Premier League history.