Arsenal v Manchester United: The Battle of the 4th

 
Arsenal host Manchester United this weekend in what promises to be another intriguing clash between these two old rivals, though perhaps for the wrong reasons.
In a move that would have been unthinkable when these two were the dominant forces in England just over a decade ago, United may well rest players for
the visit to the Emirates Stadium…to focus on winning the Europa League.
Yes, that’s 20-time champions Manchester United all but giving up on even making the top four so they can put all their efforts into winning Europe’s second trophy as it’s their best hope of playing where they want in the Champions League next year.
Still, Arsenal have a poor record against the Red Devils, and Arsene Wenger has never beaten Jose Mourinho in a Premier League match, so will this be straightforward, even against a second-string side?
Times change and football’s as funny and weird a game as ever, so here’s our best efforts at looking at how this one could unfold on Sunday…

It’s a big game for…

Mesut Ozil.
So often criticised for not turning up in the big games, the Germany international won’t have a better opportunity to make an impact than against a United team whose minds are elsewhere.
Arsenal remain locked in contract talks with Ozil ahead of the end of the season, but they may be reluctant to give him the wages he wants if he fails to make a decisive impact in this important game in the top four race.

Likely line ups…

 

It’s not clear if Arsenal will stick with the 3-4-3 that’s served them well in recent games, but Wenger may as well experiment with it between now and the end of the season.
Assuming he keeps it, the Frenchman will likely play the above XI as it’s generally the best squad he has available to him at the moment.
Shkodran Mustafi is back from injury and should slot into that back three, most likely on the right-hand side. Hector Bellerin deserves a start in this system, while Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey’s form means they’re surely going to have to make do with starting on the bench.
Wenger generally has a bit of a headache in midfield, with Granit Xhaka also injured for this one, meaning Francis Coquelin and Mohamed Elneny could form an uninspiring-looking partnership there on Sunday.

 

Who knows how Mourinho will approach this one? The Portuguese has given every indication it’ll be a weakened side, but he still has the players in his squad to trouble Arsenal.
Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford will surely be rested for Celta Vigo next week, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan is another who should be allowed to sit this one out.
Drafted in could be the likes of Michael Carrick, Ashley Young, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney, while youngster Axel Tuanzebe could get his chance in defence after recently being talked up by Mourinho.
To be honest though, it’s anyone’s guess. And don’t be surprised if Mourinho has a last-minute change of heart and goes relatively full strength!

If you memorise one stat, make it this…

Genuinely surprising, this one – Jose Mourinho has never won a league match at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. In fairness, he’s only had three opportunities prior to this weekend…

Mourinho at the Emirates

2006/07: Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea 2013/14: Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
2014/15: Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea

Last time they met…

Olivier Giroud netted a late equaliser as Arsenal escaped with a rare point at Old Trafford.

Juan Mata had given Manchester United the lead in that game back in November, but Arsenal showed surprising resolve to hit back in the 89th minute and provide one of many frustrating home results for the Red Devils this season.
All in all, it was not a classic between these two great clubs, but that’s the way it’s gone for both of these faded forces in recent times. Rarely has there been so much mediocrity in both squads, and so little hope of either of them challenging for the biggest honours.