ARSENAL v MANCHESTER UNITED
Premier League
Sunday, January 31st
The Emirates. Kick off 16.00
By Joe Finegan
This is a massive game in determining the destination of this season’s Premier League title. Currently, the Gunners are a point behind United, who are a point behind Chelsea.
Arsenal have a shockingly difficult series of matches to come (Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool) and will need to take maximum points from those three games to boost their title chances.
Being plagued by injuries will not help Arsenal’s cause, nor will the possible return to the fray for Sol Campbell, the 35-yer-old veteran being touted as the man to stop 24-year-old Wayne Rooney. After so long away from top-class football, surely this is not the game for Wenger to give Campbell his first home start since his return to the club. Arsenal’s defence has been slightly suspect this season, and the absence of Vermaelen, and the possibility of Campbell’s inclusion, must be delighting Alex Ferguson.
Arsenal have been playing well in the league lately. Despite a scoreless draw with Aston Villa midweek, they have gained 23 out of a possible 29 points available to them over their last nine games, thrusting the Gunners into the title race and they even topped the table for a short time last week.
Manchester United have been distracted by their high-profile League Cup semi-final clash with rivals Manchester City but have maintained their charge for the 2009-10 Premier League title by winning four of their last five league games, scoring 16 goals.
This will be a big test for both clubs in the battle for the championship and both clubs know that defeat will be very costly indeed. Manchester United have the second best away record in the league and are very capable of avoiding defeat at The Emirates on Sunday.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Traditionally, United have done quite well at Highbury/The Emirates. Even though they haven’t won there in the league since 2005, since then they have gained two draws and a European Cup win there last season. Arsenal won this fixture last season thanks to two Samir Nasri goals.
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal have been hindered by a long injury list this season. It got worse for them this week with the news that influential central defender Thomas Vermaelen will be missing from this game. He joins Van Persie, Merida, Gibbs, Djourou, Diaby and Eduardo on the sidelines. Sol Campbell could make his first start for the team at The Emirates, and Alex Song and Emmanuel Eboue have returned from Africa. Samir Nasri is also available for this game having recovered from a hamstring problem.
Manchester United have no fresh injury worries. Hargreaves is not far away from resuming full training while John O’Shea may not feature again this season. Ferdinand is suspended but Vidic will take his place having recovered from a nerve problem in his leg.
VERDICT
This is a difficult game to find some betting value for Gooners. On the field, it will be a tough game for the Gunners, especially without Vermaelen and considering the form Wayne Rooney is in. It will be an open enough game and both sides have enough attacking flair to hit the back of the net. Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is playing out of his skin lately and Gooners should have a small bet on him to be first goalscorer.
RECOMMENDED
ARSENAL TO SCORE IN BOTH HALVES 3.95 (BETFAIR)
BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE Yes 2pts 1.6 or bigger (BETFAIR)
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