The Arsene Wenger farewell tour continues with Arsenal traveling to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United on Sunday. This will be the third game, second in the Premier League, Wenger has managed since announcing his resignation, effective at the end of the season. Wenger revealed yesterday that the decision to step down, at this time, wasn’t completely up to him.
His hand was forced a bit, and that’s unfortunate, given all that he has accomplished. After the Europa League match with Atletico Madrid tonight, he’ll take on his greatest arch-nemesis, Jose Mourinho in league action.
Mourinho, who has referred to Wenger as a “specialist in failure,” had a ton of praise for the 68-year-old last Friday, which is certainly more than a bit surprising. He paid extensive tribute, and you can read all of it at this link.
Looking at the injury and fitness situation, Mourinho’s only worry is back-up goalkeeper Sergio Romero. In other words, United are very healthy. Alexis Sanchez will get the opportunity to face his former team this weekend for the first time after moving in a January transfer window swap deal. Ahead of this match, Sanchez told MUTV that he believes United have more history than Arsenal.
United Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Arsenal Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Mourinho press conference video: go to this link
Odds via Odds Checker: United 6/13, Draw 50/13, Arsenal 15/2
Prediction: United 2, Arsenal 1
As always, feel free to post your own starting XI predictions for both teams, and well as your final score predictions
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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