Will Mourinho Follow Through with Selection Promise?
Arsenal host Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon as both teams attempt to keep their slim hopes of Champions League qualification alive.
Things are not looking good for Arsenal, who come into this match in 6th place in the league and 6 points off Manchester City, who currently occupy 4th spot. Arsenal have a game in hand on Manchester City and two games in hand on 3rd place Liverpool, who are 9 points clear of the Gunners.
Manchester United are in 5th place, 5 points clear of Arsenal, who have a game in hand on the Red Devils. Manchester United are 1 point behind Manchester City, having played the same number of games and 4 points behind Liverpool, having played a game less.
We are quickly reaching the point of no return for Arsenal, who could potentially be 9 points off 4th place come the end of the weekend. This would be almost impossible to overturn in the few games which remain. Therefore, Arsenal must win this match.
Manchester United also need to pick up maximum points from this game, if they are to give themselves a good chance of finishing in the top four. Both Liverpool and Manchester City are expected to pick up 3 points this weekend, so anything other than a win will not be good enough.
Trends show Arsenal have won four of their previous eleven Premier League games and this is the reason they have been cut adrift in the race for Champions League qualification. However, much of their struggles have been away from home and Arsene Wenger will be pleased this fixture is at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal have lost only two home Premier League games this season, the last of which came in January against Watford. However, out of the top six teams, Arsenal have only defeated Chelsea and that result came back in September.
Despite failing to defeat Swansea City last week, trends show Manchester United are now twenty-five games undefeated in the Premier League. It’s an incredible record but the one problem Mourinho’s team have had this season is turning draws into wins.
A prime example of that was last week against Swansea at Old Trafford. Manchester United were outplayed at times in the match and although they took the lead, could not hold on for maximum points.
However, away from home Manchester United have won eight and drawn three of their last eleven Premier League games and Mourinho’s team have looked better equipped to playing teams away than taking them on at Old Trafford.
The key to this game could be the team selection by Mourinho, who may rest several first team players with the Europa League in mind. Marcus Rashford, Ashley Young, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will all miss the game due to injury. The likes of Paul Pogba, Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan may be rested.
Arsenal are without Granit Xhaka, Lucas Perez and Santi Cazorla but Shkodran Mustafi may return to the defence. Wenger must choose between Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck upfront.
Whichever team Mourinho selects, he is always going to travel to a team like Arsenal and aim not to be beaten. If he can come away with a point and no fresh injuries he will be happy, even if the result is not good enough to make the top four. Against both Manchester City and Liverpool Mourinho played out a 0-0 draw and the same could happen here. A low scoring draw is in prospect.
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