Premier League: improving Arsenal can boost top-four hopes against United

Manchester United face Arsenal at the Emirates in what is in essence a cup final to prolong their hopes of Champions League football next season.

A 4-0 defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday combined with the Gunners’ rousing 4-2 success away against Chelsea 24 hours later has left the Old Trafford club with just a 5% chance of finishing in the top four. Meanwhile, they are a 3.8 shot to go to the Emirates and win this crunch match, with Arsenal warmly favoured at 2.18. A draw, which would suit the home side better, is on offer at 3.6.

Arsenal buoyant

Prior to Wednesday’s stunning win at Stamford Bridge, it seemed that Arsenal had lost their nerve in the top-four race. Mikel Arteta’s side had lost three successive matches against Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton – all mid-table opponents.

The midweek win, however, has changed perceptions of the team and will certainly have had a dramatic impact on the confidence of the Gunners’ squad. There is little doubt they will be buoyed by their midweek run and they can call upon positive recent memories of playing Man United at home. They are undefeated in their last three and have not conceded a goal in any of those.

United looking to bounce back after heavy Anfield defeat

London calling for Man Utd

Ralf Rangnick’s side, meanwhile, are on the brink of crisis. Their mismatched squad struggled to overcome Norwich last weekend and followed that up with an embarrassing loss to their greatest rivals in midweek, offering little in the way of fight or spirit until youngster Hannibal Mejbri was introduced late on.

Indeed, it is remarkable that the top four even remains a possibility for them given that they have won only two of their nine fixtures in all competitions. In both of those matches, they leaned on Cristiano Ronaldo hat-tricks to get them over the line, and the tragic off-field circumstances surrounding the Portuguese cast a cloud over them as they travel to the Emirates.

United, though, tend to perform surprisingly well in London. They are undefeated in their last 13 in the capital, winning eight and drawing five – but they have rarely been under the pressure that surrounds them prior to this clash.

History points to tight match

Manchester United look a squad in disarray while Arsenal’s midweek win should have given them the injection of confidence they need to go on and claim a top-four spot. The Gunners may not be as talented man for man as their opponents, but they are a stronger and, apparently, more united group. That will count for a lot on Saturday. Look for them to get the win.

Although the last fixture between these clubs ended 3-2 in United’s favour, the five previous games were all tight affairs, including a 0-0 draw at the Emirates last season. Nine of Arsenal’s last 10 home fixtures have all produced either two or three goals, which makes backing under 3.5 goals very good value, even if the odds are short at 1.35.

Recommended bets

Arsenal @ 2.18

Under 3.5 goals @ 1.35