Preview: Manchester United vs. Arsenal - Prediction, team news & lineups

Two men made the difference when these two sides last came up against each other on Premier League Match week 15.

Record-signing Alexandre Lacazette scored the lone goal for the Gunners at the Emirates. David De Gea pulled stunning stops to keep United in the match, despite Arsenal asking all the right questions.

Old Trafford moments

Wenger makes his final entry as Arsenal manager to Old Trafford, the theatre of arguably his most unforgettable football moments. It is here in 1998 that Marc Overmars scored a crucial goal that set Arsena on the path to winning their first double in Wenger’s first full season in charge. It is here that he’s also suffered bitter defeats and got sent off.

Read: Jones: Sanchez ready for Arsenal test

The plot here will be contest for maximum points. But the subplots make it an even ferocious contest - The Alexis Sanchez revenge, The Wenger final days at Arsenal and Arsenal’s zero points away from home in 2018.

Manchester United overview
The Red Devils are firmly in contest for second position, and in the process cementing a place in Europe next term. They have won five of the last six matches in all competitions. After a surprise league defeat to West Brom, Jose Mourinho will be making no mistakes here. David De Gea is also in the run for his 18th cleansheet and hence the season’s Golden Glove award.

No doubt that the Red Devils are strong favourites to win this one

Manchester United quickview

Latest Odds: United to win at 1.40, Draw at 4.85, Arsenal win at 7.50
Recent form: WWWLWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWLWW
Risks: Sergio Romero (Injured)

Arsenal overview
The Gunners suffered a heart-wrenching 1-1 ‘loss’ in the hands of Atletico Madrid on Thursday night, as the two sides faced off in the Europa League semis contest. Seemingly, all the eggs in the one Europa league basket are breaking, and there is little to suggest that Wenger’s last season could end on a high.

Arsenal’s domestic season has been far from pleasing, and they are placed sixth, four points above Burnley. They have failed to collect any point away from home in 2018, and have won just three away from home. This will be a tough one for them.

Arsenal quickview
Latest Odds: Arsenal win at 7.50, Draw at 4.85, Man United win at 1.40
Recent form: LWWWLW
Recent form (all competitions): WWDLWD
Risks: Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mohamed Elneny

Possible Lineups
Man United: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Young; Matic, Herrera, Pogba; Sanchez, Lingard, Lukaku
Arsenal: Ospina; Chambers, Mustafi, Holding, Kolasinac; Xhaka, Willock, Wilshere; Ozil, Iwobi, Aubameyang

Prediction
This game comes at a tough time for Arsenal because four days later, they have a tough Europa League contest away to Atletico Madrid. Wenger will be focused on getting the job done on Thursday, and will hence rest some key players for the Old Trafford visit.

Both sides have good attacking quality and should get goals, with a draw the more likely result.

Draw 2-2

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