Arsenal – Manchester Utd

Arsenal will not be able to beat one of their pursuers

Despite the Liverpool v Chelsea encounter on Matchday 21 of the Premier League, Arsenal and Manchester United are undoubtedly the focal point. Whereas Anfield is a rendezvous between the current mid-table sides and the season's main underdogs, the Emirates is the place to be for progressing and successful opponents. Arsenal come into the meeting in first place in the championship, having lost points in only three of their eighteen fixtures. This was the last time the Gunners achieved this result two decades ago, when the great Henri and Bergkamp were at the helm, and Arsene Wenger was at the helm. Manchester United, on the other hand, have transformed under Eric ten Hague and, having sent Ronaldo away, have truly become a cohesive unit. The betting odds ahead of this clash favoured the home side, with the odds offered at about the same level as the visitors' non-win. Arsenal have lost only one match in the current Premier League season - to their upcoming opponents at Old Trafford. In the other encounters, the Gunners, more often than not, have dominated and won. After the Mundial break, Arsenal have not slowed down, failing only to win against a very low-scoring Newcastle. In the last game, Arrieta's men won the London derby against Tottenham (2-0). Manchester United had a few slip-ups at the start of the league season, but the critics were relieved when they began to beat the top clubs and climb the standings. Erik ten Hag's side became even more cohesive following Ronaldo's departure, destroying the team from within. There is now a noticeable balance in all the lines of the Man Utd squad, which is reflected in a winning streak that was interrupted only last time round. Manchester United tuned up against Crystal Palace after winning the derby, but allowed their opponents to equalize in the 90+1 minute of the meeting through a stray free-kick. Both opponents are in excellent form and are methodically picking up points. In the last four head-to-head encounters in the past two years, Manchester United have lost only one. It is unlikely that the home field factor will be decisive in the upcoming match.