Arsenal have a real opportunity to continue reigniting their push for a top-four finish in the Premier League when they host Manchester United on Saturday.
The Gunners will head into this weekend’s clash on the back of an impressive 4-2 win over third-placed Chelsea on Wednesday. It was a result that added a real silver lining to what had otherwise been a nightmare month of April for Arsenal after shock losses to Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton.
For United, criticism and pressure have once again been ramped up after a horror 4-0 loss to Liverpool on Tuesday, which was described as a “disappointing” and “humiliating” outcome by interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
It’s now been revealed that the club’s chief scout, Jim Lawlor, and Marcel Bout, the head of global scouting, are both set to leave United as considerable changes are expected to escalate. One way or another, though, the team should be buoyed by the confirmation on Thursday that Erik ten Hag has been appointed as the club’s permanent new manager from the end of the season until June 2025.
Currently, though, fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal are now level on log points (with the same number of games played), while United are three points adrift, but they have played an extra game.
Tottenham still have to face Liverpool and Arsenal before the end of the season, and so the battle for fourth place – and a coveted Champions League berth – is far from over.
Few changes are expected to be made to the Arsenal side that beat Chelsea 4-2 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Although Alexandre Lacazette is available, Eddie Nketiah should keep his place up front after his brace against the Blues.
Cedric Soares could return at right-back in the only change for Arsenal, in a move that would see Ben White move back inside to centre-back.
For United, Paul Pogba has been ruled out for a couple of weeks with a calf injury, while Raphael Varane returned to light training at the start of the week and could return for this Saturday’s encounter.
Jadon Sancho was partially rested against Liverpool with a view to starting against Arsenal and Alex Telles should return as well, although it’s expected that Cristiano Ronaldo will remain on compassionate leave after the death of his newborn son.
Notably, Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven home matches against Man United in all competitions, while the Red Devils have lost their last three away matches in the league.
United did win the reverse fixture 3-2 during Michael Carrick’s short stint in charge but there’s no doubt Arsenal will be marginal favourites at home.