Arguably the most entertaining and defining game of the new year will take shape at Emirates when Arsenal invite Manchester United for a new chapter to unfold in 2020.
The two best club of 2000’s have found it difficult to lay hold on their prominence since 2010’s and have had a disappointing outing this season too. Though Arsenal have changed their manager for the second time in single season, Manchester United have shared the woes without changing one.
Both the side enter new decade sitting outside the top four while looking to squeeze in. They now look to rediscover their past glories with former players at helm, Arteta for Arsenal and Ole for United.
When and Where:
Date: January 2, Thursday
Time: 1:30 am (IST)
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Team News
Arteta is now going to face the foe he knows so well as a player and whose tactics he must have surely read of. The Spaniard has surely brought in an improvement in term of performance of the squad and would deploy a similar squad that played against Chelsea.
Arsenal will however, miss Calum Chambers who limped off in the game against Chelsea. Sokratis is also going to be a miss having suffered a concussion in less than a week ago.
Dani Ceballos, Gabriel Martinelli, Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding are all closing in on returns from injury but the game against United will be to early for them. Reiss Nelson will start again for the Gunners ahead of Nicolas Pepe.
For the visitors, Paul Pogba may finally get a full game considering his development and requirement. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw and Jesse Lingard did not get a start in the last outing and will be hopeful of recalls.
Mason Greenwood due to his goal-scoring prowess may get a nod ahead of Daniel James.
Head To Head
Two clubs with a rich history and undying love for football will meet for the 232nd time where United are one short of century of wins as compared to 83 of Arsenal’s.
The last time the two met, the game ended in a 1-1 draw with Aubameyang scoring the stalemate. We can still expect a draw between the two but this time the quantum of goals can be high.
Predicted Line-Up
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Leno; Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Luiz, Saka; Xhaka, Torreira; Nelson, Ozil, Aubameyang; Lacazette
Man Utd possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, Matic; Greenwood, Pogba, Rashford; Martial
