2. Variety in midfield (United)
If you look at the options that both teams have in midfield, especially in an attacking sense, it is a pretty close run thing. While the Red Devils have Angel Di Maria and Juan Mata, the Gunners have the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez and probably just edge it in attacking midfield. But when it comes to defensive midfield, it really isn’t much of a contest.
Arsenal only have two players who are genuine central midfielders and one of them is 32, while the other is starting to show signs of getting on. Although Jack Wilshere can play as a defensive midfielder, whether he has the defensive discipline to do is questionable. Although United also only have a couple of players, they seem to look the part. Both Daley Blind and Michael Carrick are fantastic at playing as a deep-lying playmaker who can, not just dictate the play, but also nip opposing attacks in the bud. Unfortunately Arsenal don’t have anyone of that ilk and the lack of a defensive enforcer or even someone who can easily link defence and midfield might just end up costing the Gunners.