Arsenal vs Manchester United: 5 key players for 20th

Arsenal are looking to make it 20 unbeaten matches, but Manchester United are next. Here are five key guys to ensure that the run continues.

Arsenal‘s thrilling conquest of their North London rivals is still fresh in all of our minds as we roll into yet another crucial rivalry fixture against Manchester United at Old Trafford. While United have struggled massively under Jose Mourinho this year, the threat is always there, and it will take another big effort to make the streak stretch to 20.

We have to remember that, after the thrill that was the Liverpool match, the Gunners suffered a let-down against Wolverhampton. I would hope that, given the nature of the opponent, that wouldn’t happen, but you can never be too sure.

Heading into this one, the Gunners have a string of issues to face. Mesut Ozil is unlikely to feature yet again and Granit Xhaka, due to a fifth yellow, will also be absent, which is a hell of a lot of a bigger deal than many will give it credit for.

Shkodran Mustafi is also a question mark after coming off early against Tottenham, so if the back three is going to endure – which we really need it to – then the German is going to have to find his health, and soon.

Still, the big weapons are in play for this one, so let’s talk five key players. We start with No. 5.

5. Sead Kolasinac

The big man with his first appearance on a key player list! And it should be painfully obvious why. For two straight matches, he has been our No. 1 source of chances – he’s created seven combined between Tottenham and Bournemouth, more than any other Gunner.

Of course, his “key-ness” takes on a whole new light if Mustafi isn’t able to play, thus forcing Sead Kolasinac to play as a straight-up fullback rather than his clearly-preferred wingback (even if he says he prefers fullback).

He is turning into a serious weapon, and while I know two games is hardly a “big” sample size, I think we can all agree that this is textbook Kolasinac – when he is healthy and confident. Both of which he currently is.

On to No. 4.