Manchester United v Arsenal: Preview and Predictions

Manchester United v Arsenal Saturday 3rd November 12:45 - Verdict Manchester United 7/10

  Manchester United have begun to find their feet as a side and are breathing down league-leaders Chelsea’s neck like an elderly Labrador.  By beating a wavering Arsenal side at home Sir Alex Ferguson will look ever more likely to getting his wise and liver-spotted fingers on the Premier League trophy.

          After losing to Chelsea this week Manchester United will want to quickly return to winning ways and having rested the likes of Van Persie and Rooney they should be capable of overturning Arsenal, who are priced at 19/5.  Interestingly Arsenal are the only side in the Premier League not to have scored a goal in the first half-hour of a game and Manchester United have been making very quick starts to games of late, conceeding after taking the lead - so steer clear of Arsenal first goal-scorer markets.  The second half of this game could be tense and fast-paced - if Arsenal haven't thrown their chances away in the first.

          Van Persie faces his former team in this fixture and having him either score or assist, only to praise Wenger and label Arsenal a 'top-team' or something equally as condescending in a post-match interview is almost certain - but this will be an emotional and heated game with his involvement nonetheless.  It could quite easily end up being as dirty as a bag-lady's bra-strap and with all of the furore involving referees and key decisions this is the hardest fixture of the weekend to officiate.

          Arsenal don’t seem in any shape to be taking three points at Old Trafford, although it’s not within the realms of possibility.  Arsenal fans may revel in the fact a second string squad was able to mount an epic seven goal comeback against Reading, but we have to remember they allowed the Royals to help themselves to four first.  Van Persie and Rooney tend to be slightly more effective than Pog/Roberts partnership and we expect Manchester United to give Arsene Wenger and his sleeping-bag-style jacket more to ponder in the run up to the opening of the transfer market.

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