Game Week 23 Predictions: Arsenal to beat Manchester United at the Emirates

Premier League preview: Arsenal vs Man Utd at Emirates – Gunners chase 7-pt lead restoration, United inspired sans Amorim; verdict Arsenal win.

Arsenal can only maintain their seven-point advantage at the top if they beat Manchester United at the Emirates on Sunday. Will the Red Devils let them? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Arsenal vs Manchester United

Emirates Stadium

5:30pm

The title race received another twist on Saturday as Manchester City cut Arsenal’s lead to four points after beating bottom club Wolves 2-0 with Omar Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo among the goals.

Arsenal is condemned to beat Manchester United at the Emirates to restore the seven-point advantage or invite media scrutiny into their title credentials. Arsenal have what it takes to get the job done, but they have to go through an inspired Manchester United to achieve their aims.

A top-four finish is still realistic for Manchester United. While they missed many chances in the past, they could beat the Gunners at the Emirates, something they haven’t done since Mikel Arteta joined Arsenal six years ago; this will be a cracker at the Emirates.

Arsenal is in a good place. Top of the Premier League, top of the Champions League group phase and guaranteed a place in the last 16; through to the 4th round of the FA Cup and one leg into the final of the Carabao Cup, it’s a great time to be an Arsenal fan.

Manchester United’s performance against Manchester City should send some interesting warnings to Arsenal. The Red Devils took care of their city rivals diligently from start to finish. The mercurial quality of Bruno Fernandes came to the fore as he didn’t have defensive duties like he had under Ruben Amorim.

Arsenal, on the other hand, laboured to a goalless draw away at Forest last weekend. It was an opportunity missed, as the Gunners would have gone nine points clear at the top of the log. They have another opportunity here to prove that they deserve to be where they are; they must win.

United can throw a spanner in the works of the Gunners. The form of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Traore would test the fullbacks at Arsenal, but Ricardo Calafiori is back in training and could be thrown straight to left back to stop Mbeumo and Amad while Jurien Timber does the work at the other end.

Defensively, United must be solid. The return to fitness of Lisandro Martinez has added grit, while Nousir Mazraoui returns too from AFCON. Haden Heaven has been a revelation; this is another opportunity for the backline to earn their stripes.

Bukayo Saka has a lot to prove as the leading light in the Arsenal squad. How Arteta approaches this will say a lot about where he wants to be; Arsenal must be on the front foot from the start. Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi will be immense in the middle of the park. This should excite the neutrals.

Verdict: Arsenal to win.