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Arsenal travel to Manchester tomorrow to face Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Red Devils after their respective European games. On the back of just one defeat in the last five games in all competitions, Manchester United seem to be the favourites to get all three points from this game.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have not won a Premier League game at Old Trafford since 2006, and judging from their current form, history is set to repeat itself. Mikel Arteta's side have suffered two consecutive defeats in the EPL, both games ending in a 1-0 loss to the Gunners. Despite a good start to the season, the losses have left them 11th in the standings.
With both teams currently in the bottom half of the table, whoever wins this fixture could move up and stand a higher chance of finishing in the top four, considering the fact that Manchester United still have a game in hand. Here's a look at the five key battles that could determine who emerges victorious.
Manchester United vs Arsenal: 5 key battles
#5 Luke Shaw vs Hector Bellerin
Having returned to his best form, Hector Bellerin has become one of the chief creators in the Arsenal team, with four assists in seven games this season. Although the right-back's concentration at the back leaves much to be desired, there is no doubt that when getting forward, the Gunners rely a lot on Bellerin.
Offensively, the Spaniard produces 0.2 shots and 0.5 key passes per game while Luke Shaw has 0.2 and 0.6 in the respective categories. Defensively, the two players also have pretty similar statistics.
However, the key difference between the two players is their pace. Bellerin is a lot quicker than Shaw and when he combines with Nicolas Pepe or Willian down the right flank, Arsenal create plenty of opportunities.
Unfortunately, accuracy in the final third is always missing for Arsenal players. Tomorrow, both Shaw and Bellerin have an equal chance of making an impact for their respective teams and make the key difference.
#4 Harry Maguire vs Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Amid claims that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could move to a more central role, the defensive partnership of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire will have to deal with the threat of the Arsenal captain.
Arsenal have only scored eight goals in the EPL this season, three of them came from the opening matchday win against Fulham. No team in the top 16 has scored fewer goals than the Gunners and Aubameyang has been blamed for the lack of goals this season.
Since extending his contract in the summer, the Gabonese international has only scored once in the EPL despite playing every single minute of the competition. His lack of goals is fast becoming a frustration and concern for many fans.
On the other hand, since the thrashing by Tottenham in early October, Solskjaer has reverted to using Lindelof and Maguire as the centre-backs for Manchester United. Yet, at the most recent meeting between the two sides, the English international had a game to forget after putting in one of the worst performances of his career.
It remains to be seen whether Aubameyang will end his goal drought in the EPL or will Maguire produce another disaster-class under pressure.
#3 Fred vs Dani Ceballos
After the embarrassing loss to Spurs, Solskajer has brought Fred into the starting eleven and the Brazilian is providing much-needed stability and balance to the midfield.
The 27-year-old midfielder manages an average of 1.8 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 2 dribbles per EPL game. Should he maintain his form against the Gunners, United have a high chance of winning this fixture because of Arsenal's lack of creativity.
Without Mesut Ozil in the team, Arsenal have struggled to create goal-scoring chances. As it stands, the current state of the Gunners' midfield appears to be very staid, with the players waiting for one another to make that decisive forward pass.
Like Joe Willock has done in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) match against Dundalk, Dani Ceballos must get forward more often in order to exert a greater influence and make a difference in tomorrow's game.
#2 Marcus Rashford vs Gabriel Magalhaes
With seven goals in nine games, Marcus Rashford is Manchester United's top scorer in all competitions this season. The 23-year-old netted a hat-trick against RB Leipzig in the midweek UEFA Champions League (UCL) game and should be feeling confident ahead of the clash.
However, Rashford has failed to score in the last eight games against Arsenal. Given that Anthony Martial is still suspended, the goal-scoring duties will also rest on the shoulders of the English international and Edinson Cavani.
Both forwards face a stern test against Arsenal's summer signing Gabriel Magalhaes who has impressed for the North London club and performed well on a weekly basis. Currently, the Gunners boast of the second-best defence in the league, having conceded just seven goals in six matches.
Regardless of whether Arteta goes for a back three or four, Gabriel will definitely have a role to play in the heart of the defence.
#1 Bruno Fernandes vs Thomas Partey
Bruno Fernandes' arrival at Old Trafford in January sparked a revival and sense of belief among the players last season. One of the main reasons why the Red Devils are in the UCL this season is all thanks to Fernandes' goal contribution in the EPL.
Continuing his fine display, the Portuguese now has three goals and two assists in five EPL matches this season. During tomorrow's clash, Fernandes will be one of United's biggest threats but he would first have to get past Thomas Partey.
The Ghanaian midfielder has had a mixed start to his Arsenal career. He put up an assuring display against Rapid Vienna in the UEL but when his team faced Leicester last week, Partey's influence in the midfield wasn't as desired.
After getting a break against Dundalk, Arteta is set to recall the 27-year-old who said,
"If we do our work well, if we go in and fight for points, if we put a lot of pressure on them, we’ll be able to win."
With his summer additions, Arteta will be hoping to record his second victory over Solskjaer's side and break the duck at Old Trafford.
Also Read: 5 memorable goals Mesut Ozil has scored for Arsenal
