FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 1178800802,1196064545 - GRADIENT ADDED) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manager of Manchester United (L) and Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal. Arsenal FC and Manchester United meet on January 1,2020 in a Premier League fixture at the Emirates Stadium in London,England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS - OCTOBER 03: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manager of Manchester United looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League group L match between AZ Alkmaar and Manchester United at ADO Den Haag on October 03, 2019 in The Hague, Netherlands. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on December 26, 2019 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
We have another blockbuster clash scheduled for the weekend as it’s Manchester United vs Arsenal at Old Trafford. Both teams have had contrasting starts to the season so far as Manchester United started badly only to recover well in recent weeks. Arsenal, on the other hand, started well enough but have faced losses in their last few games.
It will be an interesting clash as both managers are still relatively new to their jobs and are under a bit of pressure. Obviously, Solskjaer will be under more pressure to lift United up from their current position.
Both clubs need a win for similar yet different reasons. Manchester United have just started to gain some momentum and a win over Arsenal would do them a world of good.
Arsenal will desperately need a win after their narrow losses against Manchester City and Leicester. A lot of superstars are expected to line up on both sides as each will look to outwit their opposite number. Below we take a look at the 3 most important player battles that could define the outcome of the game.
Just when you thought Marcus Rashford was out of touch and more focused on his off-field social work, he produced a career-first hat-trick against Leipzig. Let’s not forget he was a substitute and it just took him 27 minutes.
The Gunners’ backline has surely looked more solid after the introduction of Gabriel Magalhaes. While they have found it hard to keep clean sheets, they have been much better compared to previous seasons. Nonetheless, an in-form Marcus Rashford could be a good challenge.
The Arsenal captain will be vital to his team’s chances at Old Trafford but with his scoring rate dropping significantly, it does become a cause of concern for the Gunners, especially when you consider he will be up against an impenetrable Wan-Bissaka. The right-back has defended like his life depended on it in the last few games and will surely be pumped up to stop the Arsenal forward.
Thomas Partey will have the most vital task of stopping the mercurial Bruno Fernandes. The winner of this battle could well decide the game for their side. The Portuguese maestro looks like he is back to his best, with goals and defence-splitting passes.
Similarly, Partey has the reputation of stifling the best of creative midfielders since his La Liga days. Handling Fernandes could give Arsenal the edge as it would deprive the home side of their creativity.
