Few gave a lot thought to the potential for each Arsenal and Manchester United being within the Premier League title race on the midway level of the season, but, right here we’re – with the 2 fallen giants poised to conflict on the Emirates on Sunday, with the coveted trophy nonetheless very a lot inside attain.
United are with out a top-flight title in a decade and registered their worst-ever Premier League factors whole final time period. Arsenal’s earlier league triumph was in 2003, and so they haven’t completed increased than fifth within the final six seasons.
This time, nonetheless, each have turned issues round – particularly the Gunners, who maintain a stunning five-point lead over nearest challengers, champions Manchester City, on the high of the standings going into the weekend’s matches.
Earlier within the Premier League period, clashes between Arsenal and United have been usually blockbuster events between title chasers. Tempers boiled over on many events, together with the notorious “pizzagate” brawl in 2004.
Sunday’s encounter on the Emirates is the third time Arsenal is internet hosting United in a Premier League match whereas on the high of the desk, however the first since a 2-2 attract Nov. 2007.
United missed the possibility to shut the hole to Arsenal to 6 factors on Wednesday after Michael Olise’s last-gasp leveler earned Crystal Palace a 1-1 draw in opposition to Erik ten Hag’s in-form aspect, the primary time they’d been denied victory in 10 video games in all competitions.
The late equalizer was not the one setback United encountered on Wednesday. Instrumental midfielder Casemiro is choosing up his fifth warning of the season, which means he shall be suspended for the encounter.
Ten Hag remains to be assured United can full a league double over the Gunners with out the Brazil worldwide, having crushed the London aspect at Old Trafford final September.
“Last time we beat Arsenal without Casemiro,” the Dutchman mentioned after the Palace draw.
“Casemiro is a major participant for us, and he is without doubt one of the causes we’re within the place that we at the moment are.
“We have a squad, and we have to fill that gap and make a proper plan, and the squad has to fill it. But, as a team, we already showed how to beat Arsenal.”
Battle of underperformers
On Saturday, two contrasting sides of fortune, Arsenal and United, will meet up on the Emirates whereas at Anfield, Liverpool, languishing in ninth place, welcome Tenth-placed Chelsea, who’re each frantically looking for a win to revive their ailing campaigns.
Many anticipated Liverpool and City to compete for the title once more this season, however the Reds have endured a depressing time period up to now.
Their dismal efficiency within the weekend’s 3-0 loss at Brighton & Hove Albion meant Liverpool misplaced back-to-back Premier League video games for a second time this season.
They have suffered six defeats, 3 times as many as in 2021-22.
Big issues have been anticipated of Chelsea after they spent large within the shut season. But after changing Thomas Tuchel because the Blues boss in September, Graham Potter has didn’t encourage his new aspect.
The new signings have continued to reach in January, however their kind stays beneath par. Chelsea has received simply two of their final ten league video games, although they beat Crystal Palace 1-0 final time.
Away from house, the Blues are winless in 5 league matches, their longest run since September-December 2015.
It had appeared City’s probabilities of a fifth league title in six seasons have been slipping away from them on Thursday evening as targets from Dejan Kulusevski and Emerson Royal gave Tottenham Hotspur a 2-0 half-time lead on the Etihad Stadium.
However, the champions have been a distinct workforce after the break, with three targets in 12 second-half minutes, turning the match on its head. Riyad Mahrez added a late fourth to place the seal on a win that moved City to 5 factors beneath Arsenal.
The match additionally noticed Erling Haaland finish his mini-goal drought to maneuver on to 22 league strikes for the marketing campaign – essentially the most by a Manchester City participant in a single league season underneath Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola’s workforce hosts Wolves on Sunday and could possibly be two factors behind Arsenal earlier than the Gunner’s kickoff in opposition to Manchester United later within the day.
Fourth-placed Newcastle United journey to Crystal Palace on Saturday whereas, down on the different finish of the desk, West Ham United host Everton, with either side marooned within the backside three and determined for factors.
