Manchester United host Arsenal desperate to climb table

Manchester United hope a home victory over Arsenal will be the start of a climb up the Premier League table for the Red Devils.

Arsenal find themselves fourth in the standings, level on points with third-placed Leicester City, after six games. The Gunners, who are unbeaten at home, travel to Old Trafford looking to build upon their smash-and-grab victory over Aston Villa last weekend.

Unai Emery’s side scored with six minutes left as ten-man Arsenal salvaged victory from the Villans in an unfortunate manner for Dean Smith’s side. The poor performance against Villa seemed only a blip in their form as they travel to Lancashire unbeaten in their previous five matches in all competitions – a record stretching back to their defeat to Liverpool before the international break.

On the other hand, United enter the fixture off the back of a penalty shoot-out victory over Rochdale at Old Trafford during the week after a 1-1 draw in normal time.

United lost their most recent outing in the Premier League 2-0 to West Ham United; therefore, United have collected four points from their previous four outings in the English top-flight.

Team news

Alexandre Lacazette (ankle) is unlikely to be fit to return for Arsenal at Old Trafford after sustaining an injury to his foot and ankle. Konstantinos Mavropanos has been left out the squad due to a lack of match fitness; Emile Smith-Rowe (head) is currently being assessed with Arsenal expecting him to not be a long-term absentee.

United boss Ole Gunnar-Solskjaer has a plethora of selection issues. Eric Bailly (knee) remains a long-term absentee as will Timothy Fosu-Mensah. Marcus Rashford (groin/hip) is slowly getting back to fitness but is unlikely to feature against the Gunners. It’s a similar story for Diogo Dalot (unknown) and Angel Gomes (unknown). Anthony Martial (thigh) and Luke Shaw (thigh) could both sneak into the squad in time.

From the dug-outs

Ahead of entertaining Arsenal at Old Trafford, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said:

“The next game, if you win it, is the perfect game, whatever opponent you meet.

For us, the games against Arsenal have always been great for the spectators, and for us. We’ve got a good record against them. For us it’s about focusing on ourselves, doing our bit, and seeing if we can solve the problems they give us.

I think it will be an open game, two teams that want to attack, and the next game is always the perfect occasion to prove yourselves.

Every game here is a game you want to win, and have to win. ‘We are looking forward to it. I’ve watched Unai Emery over many years, and system-wise he can come with any shape, he knows it all.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Unai Emery dismissed the idea that his opposite number Solskjaer is under pressure:

“Solskjaer has experience, he was a player at Manchester United, he knows the club perfectly.

“He knows the high competition, the high level and he has now very good players. His challenge is also to achieve the consistency and performances that will get them in the top four.

“We are going to fight on Monday the first time of this season and it’s how we can respond, us and them.

It’s an amazing moment, an amazing match between these two teams in the past, the present and the future,” he continued.

“Each match when I watched in Spain, Arsenal v Manchester United, Manchester United v Arsenal, was a special moment.

Head-to-head

Previous fixtures between these two sides have always been popular ones to watch. On their last five visits to Old Trafford, Arsenal have won none, losing on two occasions.

Of the previous nine matches where there has been a winner, the victorious side has scored two or more goals on their way to victory.