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Man Utd vs Arsenal: 3 key battles to watch at Old Trafford
- Arsenal will make the trip to Manchester United on Sunday
- A rare Old Trafford win would bring the title race down to the final day
- The Gunners can claim a first league double over United in 17 years
By Kenneth Daly
None are tougher than our battle with Old Trafford demons.
Arsenal will hope the Theatre of Dreams lives up to its name this weekend as they visit struggling Manchester United for another must-win clash.
The form guide could hardly skew more in the Gunners’ favour, with victory over Bournemouth being their 14th out of the last 16 Premier League matches. Meanwhile, our hosts have just one win in seven and might not bounce back quick enough after their 4-0 mauling at Selhurst Park.
But nothing can ever be taken for granted and an awful Old Trafford record (two wins in 17 league games) means Arsenal must remain at full focus if they are to keep their title charge alive until the final day.
3 key battles as Arsenal meet Manchester United in huge Premier League clash
Sparks tend to fly whenever these sides meet, and here are three key battles to ignite that rivalry flame.
1. Diogo Dalot vs Leandro Trossard
Recent showings indicate this duel is only going one way.
Where would Arsenal be without Leandro Trossard? Given the poor form of Gabriel Martinelli, our diminutive Belgian has provided a vital source of attacking inspiration that justifies his elevation from bit-part player to a first-team regular.
His impressive numbers (16 goals in 2023/24) and all-round contributions are invaluable at crunch time and speak to a clinical nature that can trouble any backline, not least one as porous as that of United's.
Part of that rearguard is Diogo Dalot, who was just one among 11 United players that never turned up against Crystal Palace. He simply could not contain Michael Olise and was particularly suspect for goal no.3 as Joachim Andersen got the better of him at the back post, while any repeat of his work in possession that night will be ruthlessly exploited on Sunday.
An injury-ravaged defence, closing in on a new club record for league goals conceded, meets the top scorers who are one goal away from setting a new club record. Surely there is only one winner….
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