Arsenal head to Old Trafford in a crucial Premier League encounter against Manchester United on Sunday looking to avoid a costly slip-up as title race enters a critical stage.
The Gunners are heavy favourites to win but have left Old Trafford with all three points just once in their last 16 visits, a run which also includes 10 defeats.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side reclaimed the Premier League lead after a dominant 4-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday mounting pressure on Arsenal to win at Old Trafford.
Man Utd have been in terrible form recently, winning one of their last seven Premier League matches, with Erik ten Hag’s side dropping to eighth in the Premier League.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have won all of their last four Premier League fixtures but Neville reckons Man Utd will get a 2-2 draw out of the match on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s side maintained their title hopes with an impressive 3-0 victory over an in-form Bournemouth last weekend, while Erik ten Hag’s men are reeling from their embarrassing 4-0 thrashing at Crystal Palace on Monday.
Arsenal have now won four on the bounce, and they’ll be hoping Fulham can pull off a mini-miracle against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking ahead of Sunday cracker, Man Utd legend Gary Neville believes the Red Devils will end Arsenal’s hopes for the Premier League title on Sunday.
“This is the big one,” Neville said on Stick to Football podcast. “Arsenal have a poor record here.
“There are three things that stand out to me. Firstly, this is massive for Arsenal. Secondly, United’s record against the big teams isn’t that bad at home. A lot of the top teams have not beaten United at home. And thirdly, Arsenal have got a really poor record at Old Trafford.
“People are almost dismissing Man United in this game because they’ve been that bad, which we all get, but it can be a graveyard, Old Trafford.
“Look, Arsenal should win but I’m not sure they will. Arsenal should win but there’s a madness about Old Trafford and this game, usually in a title race it doesn’t work out how you think.
“I’m going 2-2, this is just my feeling.”
THE STATS
Across all competitions, Man United have only won one of their last nine matches within 90 minutes, drawing six and losing two, including going to extra time against both Liverpool and Coventry City in the FA Cup.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have gone unbeaten through their last eight away Premier League games, winning seven and drawing one. Before their 3-2 North London derby win at Tottenham, they had kept six straight clean sheets on their travels.
Overall, Arsenal have managed 10 away clean sheets in the Premier League this term, last keeping more in a single top-slight campaign in 1990/91 (13).
Arsenal have lost their final away league game in three of their previous four seasons under Arteta, the exception being a 3-1 win at Crystal Palace in 2020/21.
The Gunners are, however, unbeaten when facing United in their final Premier League away game (one win, two draws), securing the title with a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford in 2002.
