Not too long ago, the Gunners’ trip to Old Trafford looked to be a walk in the park. The Arsenal, top of the table after a perfect winning start to the season, remain the favourites for Sunday’s tie. But Manchester United are no longer the joke of the week. Three impressive wins, including two back-to-back away victories, have seen them rocket to fifth spot on the table. And a visit by The Arsenal seems to always bring out the best in the Manchester United players, no matter how poorly they may be doing at the time.
Little wonder that the bookies are either undecided, or just-just leaning its odds in favour of the hosts.
But the Gunners have every reason to be upbeat, despite injury concerns to the likes of man-of-the-moment Martin Ødegaard, as well as Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny and Oleksandr Zinchenko. While The Arsenal may have to once again dig deep into its bench for Sunday’s game, the squad has some new-found depth. And the players who have been called are mostly slotting in quickly. On top of this, new acquisition Fábio Vieira, yet to play a single second of Premier League football, may finally get to make his much-awaited debut.
There can be no doubt that the side, surfing the wave of its five-for-five start to the season, is brimming with confidence. And even when teams like Fulham and Aston Villa make things hard for us on the day, The Arsenal seem to have reserve stores of creativity and determination to call on.
It speaks volumes that most Gooners, glass-half-empty fans most of the time, are predicting wins for their beloved Gunners on Sunday.
It’s time to get your predictions in. If you have registered for the Predictor Game, submit your predictions at @ www.arsenalcapetown.co.za !!!!
P.S: Don’t forget to listen to join Roni on The Gunning Truth Podcast, and join us Monday @ 8 pm for the Cape Town Armoury Review Show With Naseem and Alex.
