Arsenal vs Manchester United: 3 tactical subplots which will decide the winner | Premier League 2018-19

Till a few days ago, this fixture looked pretty even, two sides separated by a point and having recently earned creditable draws against top 3 opposition. However, after the mid-week results in Europe, the moods in the two dressing rooms will be completely different. Manchester United beat Ligue One's leaders 1-3 away from home, while Arsenal lost 3-1 to a team sitting 10th in the same league.

That said, United shouldn’t expect it to be a stroll. The importance of this match for the Gunners can’t be overemphasised. They are playing at home, and with further progress in Europe a big doubt, they would want to push harder for a top 4 finish. With 7 first team players expected to be back in Emery’s starting eleven after being rested on Thursday, any result is possible today.

Here are three tactical subplots that are likely to decide the outcome.

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#1 How well Mustafi deals with Rashford

United will look to attack through Marcus Rashford on the left

In view of his performance last weekend against Spurs where he totally dominated the opposite left back, Shkodran Mustafi is likely to start at right-back for Arsenal. However it’s one thing to keep Danny Rose hushed, it’s a different thing to stall Marcus Rashford.

Given that United tend to attack from the left, Rashford would be joined by Luke Shaw, and even at times, Paul Pogba will drift to heap pressure on Mustafi. Arsenal's right back’s ability to handle Rashford’s runs, dribbles, and attempted crosses will go a long way in determining goalkeeper Leno’s workload.

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#2 Can Ramsey and Mkhitaryan exploit United’s weakened midfield?

Aaron Ramsey has been in great form of late

With both Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic injured (Matic may start on the bench), United are lacking two of their best defensive midfielders at the moment. This could leave the door open for Aaron Ramsey & Henrikh Mkhitaryan to go in and attack. Both of these players are in great form at the moment.

In last week’s game against Spurs, Ramsey showcased his all-round class and industry. He was easily the best Arsenal player on the pitch and saw his efforts rewarded with a wonderful goal.

Mkhitaryan too is enjoying a great spell, having two goals and three assists in his last 3 games. His control on the ball and quick passing will be critical for Arsenal’s counter-attacks, something which United’s second string midfield might find difficult to cope with.

#3 Who attacks and who sits deep?

Solskjaer may prefer to sit back and counter-attack at the Emirates

While its abundantly clear that Unai Emery prefers to counter-attack, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer too has preferred this approach against big opposition like Liverpool and Chelsea. One game where he didn’t follow this approach was against Tottenham. But that almost backfired. Had it not been for David de Gea’s amazing performance in which he made 11 saves in the second half, United wouldn’t have been able to walk away with all three points.

If the FA Cup game these two sides played at the Emirates in January is any indication, United would again prefer to sit back. Since this game is at the Emirates as well, the pressure will be on Arsenal to come out and attack.

Given Emery’s preferred form of attack, which is to play from the back, the Gunners will have to be very heedful of evading United’s pressing or else Lukaku and Rashford will hurt them badly with swift counter-attacks.