MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their side's first goal with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and team mates during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on December 02, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Manchester United vs Arsenal: 3 things to look out for at Old Trafford
by Adam Schultz
Arsenal put their undefeated streak on the line when they travel to face Manchester United at Old Trafford, a ground they have usually struggled at, on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal are riding high atop the Premier League table with five wins from five games. After what many have called a soft draw, the Gunners face perhaps their toughest test yet in Manchester United.
While the football from Mikel Arteta’s side has often been sensational, the bad habits that plagued the Gunners last season have occasionally manifested.
https://twitter.com/now_arsenaI/status/1517776845227409411?s=20&t=QOhMz8MBAE9Y3UvKZNtZ5A
The clash against United provides a serious litmus test for Arsenal as we will see what the team is truly made of in 2022/23.
Manchester United vs Arsenal: 3 things to look out for at Old Trafford
With so much history in this fixture and most of it not good viewing for Arsenal fans, there is a chance to right a few wrongs at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Here are three things to look for.
1. Can Sambi Lokonga do it again?
Against Aston Villa, the 22-year-old produced perhaps his best effort in an Arsenal shirt. But doing it at home against Aston Villa and at Old Trafford are two entirely different propositions.
We have seen what the Belgian can do, and without Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny he will again be called upon to help dominate the midfield area.
Likely to come under serious heat at times from United’s midfield, which has found its groove over the last couple of games, Lokonga and Granit Xhaka will be tasked with keeping things ticking over for the visitors.
With Xhaka playing more advanced this season, the onus is on Lokonga to provide protection to the back four but also to help kickstart attacks. Is he up to it?
Continued on next slide…
produced perhaps his best effort</a> in an Arsenal shirt. But doing it at home against Aston Villa and at Old Trafford are two entirely different propositions.</p>
<p>We have seen what the Belgian can do, and without Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny he will again be called upon to help dominate the midfield area.</p>
<p>Likely to come under serious heat at times from United’s midfield, which has found its groove over the last couple of games, Lokonga and Granit Xhaka will be tasked with keeping things ticking over for the visitors.</p>
<p>With Xhaka playing more advanced this season, the onus is on Lokonga to provide protection to the back four but also to help kickstart attacks. Is he up to it?</p>
<p><em>Continued on next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/04/arsenal-v-manchester-united-3-things-look/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #2 thing to look for </a>
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<img decoding="async" class="wp-image-129119 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/04/arsenal-v-manchester-united-3-things-look/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1999,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1356957442.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="1999" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1356957442.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1356957442-768x480.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1356957442-1440x900.jpeg 1440w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United battles for possession with Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on December 02, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>2. Have Arsenal matured?</h2>
<p>Perhaps the most significant thing to look for on Sunday. Last season Arsenal travelled to Old Trafford in high spirits as the United side they were facing was considered less than.</p>
<p>However, Arsenal have the uncanny ability to produce an egg at the inopportune time.</p>
<p>https://twitter.com/thefootballmob/status/1565074249160835072?s=20&t=QOhMz8MBAE9Y3UvKZNtZ5A</p>
<p>After taking the lead thanks to Emile Smith Rowe in the 13th minute, the Gunners then crumbled to lose 3-2 thanks to two second-half penalties from Cristiano Ronaldo. United had less possession and fewer shots but won the game.</p>
<p>That cannot happen this time. We must see how this group has matured as it should be a game they win. Away from home, against a fierce rival and with a raucous crowd, we will see what Mikel Arteta’s side are made of.</p>
<p><em>Continued on next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/04/arsenal-v-manchester-united-3-things-look/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #3 thing to look for </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-129118 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/04/arsenal-v-manchester-united-3-things-look/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_3104,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1420140205.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="3104" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1420140205.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1420140205-768x745.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 31: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3. Can Gabriel Jesus be “the man”?</h2>
<p>These are the types of games that Gabriel Jesus was bought for. Not for scoring a brace against Leicester or goals against Aston Villa, but for the games against the big boys.</p>
<p>Far too often, we have seen Arsenal wilt under pressure away from home, with Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang offering nothing at times.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gabriel Jesus has never scored a PL goal vs Man Utd. </p>
<p>That ends tomorrow…<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/04/arsenal-v-manchester-united-3-things-look/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/afc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#afc</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/04/arsenal-v-manchester-united-3-things-look/"https://t.co/fzbsRsSY0E">pic.twitter.com/fzbsRsSY0E
<p>— Arsenal Presser (@APresserV2) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/04/arsenal-v-manchester-united-3-things-look/"https://twitter.com/APresserV2/status/1566192815352139777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>September 3, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>For Jesus, this is a game where he must make a statement. He is the leading man and needs to perform as such. We all have complete faith that he can do this; it just needs to happen.</p>
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<p>The task gets harder for Arsenal if he goes missing or has an off day. They need their number nine to show up and show out at Old Trafford.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
