Arsenal vs. Manchester United match thread: keep it going

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/amabP2GA6JTLtT1YjwCVgvDgkLU=/0x424:6445x3798/fit-in/1200x630/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25773341/2188221813.jpg

Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Two storied clubs look to continue runs of form.

Arsenal versus Manchester United is a Premier League glamour fixture. It is far from the glory days of the late 90's and early 00's — first the Gunners were less than they were and more recently United have dipped — but it's still two of the biggest names playing under the brightest lights.

Tonight's contest isn't without drama and consequence, either. With Liverpool 9 clear at the top of the table, Arsenal have virtually no room for error. The Gunners probably need to win 20-22 of their remaining 25 Premier League to win the title. United will be looking to continue the new manager bounce and to stay within striking distance of a European place.

Arsenal have won three straight against Manchester United in the Premier League. Should the Gunners stretch that streak to four consecutive victories, it would be the first time in the Premier League era Arsenal have rattled off four straight wins over United.

But this isn't Erik Ten Hag's comically inept Manchester United side. It's Ruben Amorim's team now. The Portuguese manager has guided United to two wins and a draw in his opening three matches, although I'm not sure how much you can learn about a side from a draw against Ipswich and wins over Bodø/Glimt and Everton.

Amorim has switched United to his preferred 3-4-3 (which can sometimes look like a 3-4-2-1) and is attempting to mold the side after his image. His sides tend to press high, looking to create turnovers in dangerous areas and quickly create chances of the back of them. The setup also relies heavily on wingbacks to create overloads on the attacking side of the ball and track back to help out the defense.

United don't really have true wingbacks on the roster, they have fullbacks and wingers. Regardless of who starts against the Gunners, it'll be a player shoehorned into a new, perhaps a bit uncomfortable role. If there ever was a match for Gabriel Martinelli (if he's fully fit), it's this one. His pace and direct play will be an issue, especially against a defender starting from a more advanced position. When he inevitably gets behind or beyond the wing back, Martinelli will pull one of the three centerbacks wide, creating space through the middle for Kai Havertz and others.

The other side of the pitch, the one with Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka, is a handful for any defensive setup, regardless of how it's deployed and who is playing. The pair have been unplayable for large swaths of matches and are a big part of why Arsenal have won their last three contests, scoring 13 and conceding just 3.

They'll come up against a Manchester United backline / defensive corps thinned out by suspensions and injuries. Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo are both suspended for today's match because of yellow card accumulation, which is amusing because both players received cautions when United were 3-0 up against Everton. Luke Shaw had a setback in his recovery which will keep him out for a few more weeks. Victor Lindelof is out and Jonny Evans is a doubt.

Those absences may force Leny Yoro, who has been out since injuring his foot against Arsenal in the preseason, into the lineup. Not the easiest return to action for the 19-year old should he be pressed into service.

Mikel Arteta was unhelpful, as usual, in his press conference when asked about Arsenal injuries. Both Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori were substituted against West Ham because they felt some discomfort. The pair have been nursing minor injuries but have been playing. There isn't much reason to think that trend wont' continue. Thomas Partey, Mikel Merino, and Myles Lewis-Skelly all missed the match at the weekend. Arteta did not provide specific updates about any of them. He said, and I'm paraphrasing here, some of the players with issues have been training, some have been training on their own, and we'll see who is ready to go. Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain out for extended periods.

Lineups will be posted when available.

WHO: Arsenal vs Manchester United
WHAT: Premier League Match Day 14
WHEN: Wednesday, December 4th, 12:15 pm PT | 3:15 pm ET | 8:15 pm GMT
WHERE: The Emirates Stadium, London
HOW TO WATCH: Streaming live on the Peacock app

For all your international streaming needs, check LiveSoccerTV.com. Please do not discuss or share links to illegal streams here.

img

Top 5 GUNNERS

×