Arsenal visit Old Trafford on Monday to take on Manchester United in the English Premier League and right now the Gunners have a slight upper hand in this game.
Unai Emery’s men might have dropped a few points during their past few league games but Man United have a series of injuries to deal with and if the likes of Pogba, Martial and Rashford are ruled out with injuries then surely Arsenal will be wanting to come out with three points from this match.
Arsenal have lost just a single game out of their last five Premier League matches while Man United have managed to win only one match – the one against Leicester City two weeks ago.
Last week, West Ham United had clearly shown that the United players crumble under pressure and Arsenal are more than capable of opening up the United defence.
And according to Charlie Nicholas, if the Gunners can do the basics right then they should be able to return back home from Old Trafford with all three points.
Nicholas wrote: “I am laughing already because we have a tale of two bad defences. Man United have one of the best keepers in the world in David de Gea and the most expensive defender in the world in £80m Harry Maguire.
“They got picked apart against West Ham and were nowhere near to earning anything from the match. Arsenal have five captains supposedly! Let the games begin!
“Hector Bellerin played a little bit against Nottingham Forest. Ainsley Maitland-Niles is suspended and though Unai Emery has been cautious about him, I think Bellerin should play. Kieran Tierney should be in, but Rob Holding will miss out I think.
“Arsenal will play two protectors – to my amazement, Granit Xhaka will still be in, but I would go with Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi.
“I would be happy with Dani Ceballos and then Bukayo Saka, Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. It is that easy and simple for Arsenal.
“On the flip side, who is fit for Manchester United? Marcus Rashford is out; is Anthony Martial ready? If Arsenal can play a more structured game on the counter-attack, I think they will come away with all three points.
“Man United will try to dominate the midfield with aggression, with Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba. Aubameyang and Pepe had chances against Liverpool at Anfield and if they get these chances against Man United I think they will take them.
“It will make life easier for Arsenal’s defence with Man United’s depleted frontline.”
