Arsenal will host Manchester United in what will be a big game for the two sides in the race for the top four.
The Gunners were beaten 3-1 by Rennes and it wasn’t the result they were looking for before a crucial game against the Red Devils who are in stunning form, but if Unai Emery’s side can get a positive result, it might make all the difference in the final stretch of the league run.
Arsenal had a good first half of the season, but haven’t been as consistent in the second half, and will want to avenge the FA Cup defeat at the Emirates against Manchester United.
Here are three key battles that Arsenal need to win to get the better of Manchester United.
#3 Sokratis vs Romelu Lukaku
The Belgian has hit a purple patch under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and can’t seem to stop scoring at the moment. Under the Norwegian, Lukaku has used the best of his abilities, which is to outmuscle defenders and have a go at goal.
Sokratis has perhaps the most impressive among the Arsenal centre-halves, and with him in the team, they look meaner at the back.
Still, the Arsenal defence has been pretty porous, and Sokratis needs to stay one step ahead of Lukaku if the hosts are to stop him from scoring at the Emirates.
#2 Aaron Ramsey vs Paul Pogba
Both Arsenal and Manchester United have several injuries, and Lucas Torreira’s suspension means Ramsey might have to drop a bit deeper and help the rest of the midfielders.
Pogba might have a similar role as well, so the two players will have to put in a defensive shift and help their team on the counter.
Both players have the ability to score goals from midfield, and although Pogba wasn’t needed against PSG, he is someone United rely on heavily for the drive from midfield.
Ramsey will have to take extra care to stop the Frenchman come Sunday.
#1 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang vs the Manchester United centre-halves
The former Dortmund star is pretty much unstoppable when it comes to a foot-race, and he’ll come up against the duo of Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof.
The Manchester United centre-half duo are playing with more confidence than they were two months ago, and have been less error-prone compared to the first half of the season.
Lindelof especially has put in some impressive performances, as he has managed to do well in the aerial duels and has brought the ball out of the back pretty well.
Aubameyang will have to impose himself in the Manchester United box, and do what he does best; press the centre-halves when they have the ball, and make those runs that are hard to track.
