Arsenal make the trip up to Old Trafford on Sunday in hopes of adding to Manchester United’s calamitous woes.
The Gunners head into the contest knowing there is absolutely zero margin for error if they want any chance of pipping Manchester City to the title, which is in the Blues’ hands given that they have three games left to play to Arsenal’s two.
Meanwhile, United are on track to record their worst-ever finish of the Premier League era. They’re fresh off the back of an 18th defeat in all competitions – their most in a campaign since 1977/78.
Fans likely thought they’d hit rock bottom when David Moyes led the Reds to a seventh-placed finish in 2014. The side finished the term on 64 points, a tally that’s now unachievable as they sit on 54 points with just three fixtures remaining. Yikes.
As well as that, United have scored the fewest goals of any team in the top half (52) while conceding 55 in the process, leaving them with a dismal goal difference of minus three.
Such statistics will have given Arsenal an abundance of confidence before locking horns with their longtime rivals, as they’ve found the back of the net 88 times and shipped just 28 goals in their 36 matches played.
David Raya, whose form saw previous No.1 Aaron Ramsdale cast to the bench, has already claimed this season’s Golden Glove award after seeing out a 15th clean sheet last Saturday – but that wasn’t without the help of the stalwart defenders in front of him.
Defensive unit vital in getting Arsenal results, says Tomiyasu
As such, Takehiro Tomiyasu believes Arsenal’s backline can be the difference-makers when coming toe-to-toe with United’s forwards.
“The two centre-backs, Gabi [Gabriel] and [William] Saliba, they are so consistent – and so is Ben [White] as well,” Tomiyasu began.
“We have had a lot of clean sheets because of them. I want to be part of that [defence]. We will try to get another clean sheet at Old Trafford as well.
“Obviously, it won’t be an easy game because it is a tough place to play and take three points. But we are confident, and we will be there to get three points.”
Well, I imagine they ARE confident given how rubbish we are; they might even think they can go better than the 3-0 victory managed by erm, Bournemouth.
But I imagine that, with the possible exception of Spurs’ fans, people are hoping the Arse will win the title rather than that plastic club with its plastic fans – and 115 charges to answer. And win at OT will be a big step towards that.
So: United to win it is, then. Odds are decent: I might venture a tenner on us…