Arsenal vs. Manchester United 2014: Final Predictions and Live Stream Info
Arsenal taking on Manchester United in the Premier League used to be a clash of the titans—a tie that would go some way to determining the resting place of English football’s most coveted trophy until the two locked horns again.
Now, though, it’s a different story entirely. While United are just setting off on the long road to regaining their elite status, Arsenal are desperately clinging on to theirs.
However, while this may no longer be a title-decider, history tells us that it’s still going to be a fiery encounter.
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Date: Saturday, November 22
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. GMT
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. only) / Sky Go (U.K. only)
Stalemate to Ensue?
Usually when Arsenal and Manchester United meet, it’s a case of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object, but Saturday’s clash can be more likened to candy floss meeting marshmallows—both sides have gone soft.
While the Gunners whimpered to a 2-1 loss at Swansea City before the international break after spurning a three-goal lead in the Champions League against Anderlecht just days before, United grabbed an unconvincing 1-0 victory at home to Crystal Palace.
If either team produces a similar performance on Saturday, they’ll simply be blown away. However, it’s clear where the tie will be won and lost.
Arsenal and United house some of the best attacking players in the Premier League right now, but their brilliance going forward isn’t mirrored at the back.
Combine the two defences and it’s still difficult to select a decent back four. It could all come down to which defence is the lesser evil on the day.
However, all eyes will be on strikers Danny Welbeck and Robin van Persie, who return to the clubs where they made their respective names.
The former will be going out with a point to prove after United manager Louis van Gaal deemed him surplus to requirements in the summer, while Van Persie always seems to produce his best against his former employers.
The Dutchman has played against the Gunners on four occasions since his switch to Manchester and has scored in three of those fixtures, including the winner at Old Trafford this time last season—as United Vines’ video showed:
"1 year ago today Robin Van Persie did this against Arsenal! #MUFC https://t.co/4HEHNS65mq
— United Vines (@UtdVines) November 10, 2014"
Welbeck, then, will hope to follow in the veteran striker’s footsteps by finding the net. Here’s how the two compare ahead of the action—per Sky Sports News HQ:
The Englishman did, however, pick up a knock while on international duty, which means that his selection from the start is cast into doubt.
In other team news, Olivier Giroud is available for Arsenal after recovering from a broken leg, but the game may come too soon for Theo Walcott.
United, meanwhile, will be without Daley Blind, who will face a lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up a knee injury while in action for the Netherlands.
That means that Michael Carrick will likely come in to the holding role in midfield, with Angel Di Maria, Van Persie, Juan Mata and the in-form Wayne Rooney ahead of him.
With such firepower in both ranks, goals are a near certainty at the Emirates on Saturday, but former player Robbie Savage believes that it’s a futile battle—as he said in his BBC Sport column:
"United's trip to Emirates Stadium on Saturday is more likely to help decide who finishes in fourth place than first. The sad fact for both clubs is that we are only in November and neither of them can have any realistic hopes of winning the Premier League. They have something else in common in that going forward they are brilliant, but defensively they are miles off the standard required to be champions.
"
That much is reflected in the clubs’ recent performances, but a victory against fierce rivals can be a great foundation from which to build momentum.
The game will be won defensively, there’s no doubt about that, and as both sets of players are as shaky as each other, it could well be a draw at the Emirates.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-2 Manchester United
