Manchester United vs Arsenal: The Gunners travel to Old Trafford to put things back on track after a shaky start to the season.
Arsenal have a chance to place themselves on the third position when they take up the field at Old Trafford against Manchester United on Monday night.
It has been an unpredictable start, but their defensive fatalities and attacking philosophy hasn’t changed. Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang has scored goals early on in the campaign, while the signing of David Luiz hasn’t strengthened them as the Brazilian continues to make mistakes leading to goal.
The last game week against Aston Villa saw the Gunners edging their opponents after going down to ten men and conceding two to trail the game. However, goals from Calum Chambers and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang changed fortunes for Unai Emery to register important three points.
Manchester United, on the other hand, are in a quest for a victory following a miserable start to the season. They have won two against Chelsea and Leicester City – scoreline reading 4-0 and 1-0 respectively. But, their away form has been poor, to say the least. They are yet to win on road – pressurizing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to deliver a result this week.
We shall look at the three Arsenal players who could make a huge difference on Monday night.
#3 Matto Guendouzi
Youngster Matteo Guendouzi has been Arsenal’s best midfielder and second-best player after Pierre Emerick Aubameyang this season.
The Frenchman is likely to partner the newly-appointed permanent Skipper Granit Xhaka in the midfield department. The Swiss has been underwhelming with mediocre performances this season, but his colleague has been quite the opposite – putting in a shift to make his team tick and link up the midfield and forward department.
Despite poor defensive show against Tottenham Hotspur, Guendouzi never gave up and his spirited performance was one among the various reasons for the comeback to grab a point out of the North London derby.
The Gunners midfielder are fit and healthy, but Solskjaer’s side could be without Paul Pogba. The Frenchman hasn’t been at his best this season, but he can make a huge difference. This could bolster the chances of Arsenal winning the midfield battle – should Matteo Guendouzi start the game on Monday night.
#2 Dani Ceballos
Spaniard Dani Ceballos started from the bench during Gunners’ 5-0 league cup victory over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. The midfielder kicked off his temporary Arsenal career on a high, but has faded away in recent weeks – mainly because of limited game time.
Since the 22-year-old is a tireless worker and covers defensively, he is a starter over Mesut Ozil. The German has been criticised for his work rate since Unai Emery took over last season, but Ceballos is a contributor in the offensive and defensive department.
You have to revert back to his debut when he supplied Pierre Emerick Aubameyang twice against Burnley. Since that offering, Ceballos is yet to register a goal or assist in the Premier League. This hasn’t come as a worry to Unai Emery, who is entirely convinced about his qualities suiting his system.
Since United will have an inexperienced midfield, Dani Ceballos will on his toes to pinch the ball from the opponent’s midfield. He is renowned for his pressing skill which could cause trouble to Manchester United’s backline.
#1 Pierre Emerick Aubameyang
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang will play through the middle in the absence of Alexandre Lacazette. There has been no shortage of goals for the Gabonese International, who is the third-highest scorer in the Premier League this season with six goals from six games.
The 30-year-old is a ‘fox inside the box’ and has the tendency to find the back of the net from limited creativity showcases his brilliance. The Red Devils have an injury-hampered squad and Aubameyang could take total authority. The signing of Harry Maguire hasn’t changed much as the backline of Victor Lindelof, Ashley Young, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka continue to commit mistakes.
There have been gaps aplenty between the two centre-backs of Manchester United. Should Pierre Emerick Aubameyang get his positioning right, he could cause an abundance of trouble to his opponents. He can single-handedly change games and is the primary penalty taker for the Gunners.
