'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAFAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQf/2gAIAQEAAAAAi7H/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAADf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAF//xAAjEAABAgUDBQAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQMABBESEwYHMRQVIVGC/9oACAEBAAE/AG9PEbptdUFQNGrsPPgV9wxtmE0w3MdzQMoodqS/FfuP/8QAFxEBAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQACE//aAAgBAgEBPwDSyDP/xAAYEQACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAwABEf/aAAgBAwEBPwBCgINuf//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Gunners travel to Manchester United on Sunday as Old Trafford plays host to Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal side. This will be Wenger’s final trip to Old Trafford as the manager of Arsenal.
Though this game does not carry any larger importance in the overall context of the Premier League 2017/18, there will certainly be no shortage of emotions. Manchester United would want to consolidate their second-place in the table while Arsenal needs more than a miracle to finish in the top four.
On that note, let’s take a look at the reasons why Manchester United will destroy Arsenal on Sunday.
#5 Europa League distraction for the Gunners
Arsenal’s hope of playing in the UEFA Champions League next season depends on their Europa League success. It is almost certain that they cannot finish top 4 in the Premier League and hence winning the Europa League title is their priority now.
The Europa semifinals between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid is delicately poised after a 1-1 first-leg draw at the Emirates. Arsenal will have to play at the Wanda Metropolitano on Thursday and it going to be the most important game for the Gunners this season.
They have so little to play for in the Premier League from now on and Wenger would want to rest some of his important players for the trip to Old Trafford. Expect Manchester United to dominate the possession and the game.
#4 Gunners are yet to pick an away point in 2018
The Gunners are struggling this season and their away games record in 2017/18 is dreadful. Arsenal played five away games so far in 2018 and they have lost all of them.
They lost to Bournemouth, Swansea City, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton, and Newcastle United in their previous five away fixtures. They managed to score only 4 goals in their last 5 away games and conceded 10 in the process.
The Gunners are yet to pick up their first away point in 2018 and the odds of salvaging anything against a good Manchester United side looks very slim. Expect their away games drought to continue.
#3 Mourinho holds a stunning record against Arsene Wenger
Mourinho’s overall record against the top 6 Premier League sides may not be great but his record against Wenger’s Arsenal is absolutely brilliant. Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger rivalry is not something new and it dates back more than a decade.
Jose Mourinho has dominated Arsene Wenger down the years losing only two of their 18 previous encounters. He won 9 games and drew the remaining ones. He has never lost any of the previous seven home games against Arsene Wenger.
Wenger has beaten Mourinho only once in the Premier League so far. Expect Mourinho to come on top once again.
#2 Tired legs and fatigue will certainly not help Arsenal players as they play United less than 72 hours after the Atletico game
We have a reached a certain stage in a season where fatigue plays a huge role in the outcome. Arsenal played Atletico Madrid in the mid-week Europa League fixture at the Emirates on Thursday. The clash against Manchester United comes in less than 72 hours after the Atletico Madrid game.
All of Arsenal’s first team stars played 90 minutes in the intense Atletico clash and have less than 3 days to recover. On the other hand, Manchester United are playing a competitive game after a gap of 8 days and Mourinho has a fully fit squad for the Old Trafford clash.
For Arsenal, Henrikh Mkhitaryan is a major doubt for the game because of a knee injury and Mohamed Elneny is out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury.
#1 Mourinho’s desire to finish strong in the Premier League
Mourinho’s second season at the Old Trafford cannot be categorized as a success, if not a failure. The Red Devils were dumped out of the UEFA Champions League by Sevilla in the round of 16 and conceded the Premier League title to their arch-rivals Manchester City.
Though they played a lot better in the Premier League this season, they were far too inconsistent. Manchester United are currently second in the league and it is important for Mourinho to hold on to the runners-up spot.
Though he is doing a decent job at Manchester United, some section of United fans are not happy with his style of football. Mourinho would want to win the remaining four games and finish the season with 86 points. It is important for him to finish the season on a high and build on it from the next season.
