In about two hours, Manchester United Twitter will host a midweek Premier League crunch clash against Arsenal FC. It’s a match where United will have only three fit defenders, according to Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho.
As this huge fixture draws closer to kickoff, there are numerous Gunners related news items circulating on the internet right now. So let’s take a spin through some of the headlines.
-French defender Laurent Koscielny is recovering from the horrific Achilles injury he suffered last May. According to club statements, he appears to be nearing full fitness.
Koscielny reportedly played 85 minutes for the Gunners reserves in a 2-1 loss to Portsmouth. And this came after a half’s worth of action the previous week against Derby. He’s ruled out of the match tonight at Old Trafford, but could be in contention for Saturday against Huddersfield Town; depending on how his fitness evaluation goes.
-Moving on to manager Unai Emery, he tops NBC Sports’ Premier League power rankings this week. Arsenal FC midfielder Lucas Torreira tops the outlet’s individual player power rankings. Also, ESPN FC have a really interesting op-ed on how Arsenal replaced their club legend manager versus how United gave fared.
Unai Emery is off to a great start in his succeeding Arsene Wenger while United are on their third manager post Sir Alex Ferguson. Given the dreadful league season United is having, most fans want the club to try somebody new, who would then be the fourth after Fergie.
-Here are your FYIs for Arsenal vs Manchester United:
Kickoff: Wednesday December 5, 8pm local, Old Trafford
Win probability according to Google: United 41%, Arsenal’s 32%, The draw probability is estimated at 27%.
Odds according to Betway: United are favored to win, backed at 11/8. Arsenal are backed at 19/10 while odds for a draw are 5/2
Starting XI Predictions: Arsenal Manchester United
Injury/Unavailable Report: go to this link
Finally, today will see Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck face his former club. It may not be long until future editions of this series become a match-up of Welbeck’s two former clubs. According to Sky Sports, the club will let him go in the summer, where he’ll be available on a free transfer to his next club.
Recovering from an ankle injury that required two surgeries, he may have already played his last game with the club.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.