Arsenal v Manchester United – Saturday 5:30pm
Having gained their first back-to-back wins of the season against Sunderland and Burnley, Arsenal will be disappointed not to have made it three from three having conceded two late goals to Swansea last time out. They will still go into the game with confidence and sit a point ahead of this weekend’s visitors, but will be looking to put some distance between themselves and their old rivals, Man United.
Why will Arsenal go into the game with such confidence, you ask? The answer – Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean has been on outstanding form as highlighted by the EA SPORTS player Performance Index, having bagged himself eight goals at an average of a goal every 97.6 minutes. The key to his success is his accuracy, having hit the target with 72.7% of his shots. He’s also laid on two assists for his teammates, so his creative side poses another threat – when you add in his work rate of completing 512 sprints and his top speed of 34.21km/h, it is hard to contemplate stopping the striker. He is 13/10 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
If Sanchez is on fire, former Manchester United star Danny Welbeck will be fired up. The new Arsenal acquisition has delivered since his switch with two goals and three assists, and the Untied back line will know only too well the threat that he will pose. He will work tirelessly for the team, and had won 83.3% of his tackles and racked up 512 sprints. He will be keen to stamp his authority on the game, and will keep his former colleagues on their toes for every one of the 90 minutes.
If those two weren’t hard enough to handle, imagine throwing Aaron Ramsey into the mix! The midfielder has scored twice and laid on an assist so far this season, even showing his defensive side by winning 65.5% of his tackles. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that he has averages 7.41km/h across his game time so far this season, and it is that tirelessly work rate and fitness that could be telling this weekend.
United come into this game after their first win in four games in their last match at home to Crystal Palace, and will be hoping to leapfrog their hosts with a fifth victory of the season. It will be a tough challenge to come away with all three points this week, especially seeing as United are still in search of their first away win of the campaign.
Key to taking all three points back up north will be goalkeeper David De Gea, who has at times looked in inspired form for the Red Devils this term. The Spain international suffered an injury last weekend, and it is unsure as to whether he will play or not. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that he has made 24 saves so far this season, and United will need their star keeper to pull through and make the starting Xl.
It will be another return to The Emirates for former Arsenal skipper Robin Van Persie, who will have to be on top of his game to help silence the Arsenal crowd. The United forward will be looking to add to his three goals so far this campaign, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index gives a good indicator as to how he can do so. The Dutch international captain has only hit the target with 59.1% of his shots which, given his obvious talent, may somewhat disappoint him. He will be looking to hit the target this weekend, and he is 33/20 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Just like Arsenal, United’s star player this season has been their new South American signing, and Angel Di Maria will be no stranger to lining up against Sanchez after their time in Spain. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index tells us that Di Maria has scored three goals and created a further five goals for his team mates. This is hardly surprising, as he has completed 13 crosses and 20 dribbles, both of which are squad bests. He will be the man that Arsenal need to stop this weekend to ensure all three points remain in London.
Arsenal:
Recent Form (EPL): DLDWWL
Possible lineup: Szczesny; Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs; Flamini, Ramsey; Cazorla, Wilshere, Sanchez; Welbeck
Man United:
Recent form : WWDDLW
Possible lineup: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Blackett, Shaw; Fellaini, Herrera; Januzaj, Rooney, Mata, Van Persie
Prediction
Arsenal 2 – Manchester United 2
Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars with at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate team.