Arsenal v Manchester United Betting Tip 1 – 22 November 2014

Premier League Tips

Domestic football returns following the third and final international break of the calendar year. Arsenal, like the majority of Premier League clubs, welcomed back a host of their stars who has been representing their country over the past week in preparation for a match which remains one of the biggest in the Premier League. It would have been an extra long break for the Gunners as they went into it on the back of a 2-1 loss at Swansea, despite taking the lead. It was a result which leaves them 12 points off leaders Chelsea; a gap which many believe is already beyond them making up. Whether that’s the case or not, Arsenal definitely have to find a consistency in performance and results as they have been below par too often in this campaign.

The international break often results in dispute between club and country when players return injured and that’s been the case for Manchester United. Daley Blind – one of their top performers this season – suffered a knee injury which will rule him out long term. David de Gea and Angel Di Maria also picked up injuries but they could feature. There’s no doubt the absences have had an effect on United’s results but it still doesn’t excuse their tally of 16 points from their first 11 matches. In spite of having a relatively kind opening three months to the season they have struggled and currently are worse off than they were at this stage last season under David Moyes.

One real positive for Arsenal this season has been the performance of Alexis Sanchez. Signed for big money from Barcelona in the summer, the Chilean has been in excellent for his new club. His opener against Swansea was his eighth in the league, which is a terrific record for somebody who is not an out and out striker. Arsenal supporters will be looking to some of the other established members of the squad to match that productivity as they look to move up the table.

With Radamel Falcao missing once again, the onus of scoring goals will fall to the old guard of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Perise. Rooney scored three goals in two games for England whilst van Persie was also on the score sheet for his country. The two have yet to recapture their top form at club level, though, but this weekend’s fixture is one they have enjoyed playing in. Van Persie has already scored three goals in four games against his old club whilst Rooney has 10 in Premier League matches between the two.

Despite it not having the same prestige as it once did when the two were dominating English football, it’s still a game that brings with it big rivalry. Both need a win to kick start their seasons and with the added subplot of Danny Welbeck playing against his old club for the first time since his move in the summer, there’s a different importance attached to it. Neither side are playing with any confidence so I expect a cagey opening. I do think Arsenal have more options heading into the latter part of the game, though, and that could just swing it in their favour.

Arsenal 6/5 @ Coral