EPL 2022/23 - Week 20

 Liverpool v Chelsea - Home

Bournemouth v Nott Forest - Draw

Leicester v Brighton - Home

Southampton v Aston Villa - Away

West Ham v Everton - Home

Crystal Palace v Newcastle - Away

Leeds v Brentford - Draw

Man City v Wolves - Home

Arsenal v Man Utd - Home

An Arsenal vs Man Utd fixture used to be one of the hotly contested matches in the not-so-distant era of the Ferguson and Wenger days. We talk of intense rivalries in derbies but the feud between the 2 clubs and particularly their managers was as intense as ever been witnessed in the Premier League. Add to the mix the 2 non-compromising captains in Keane and Vieira and the matches were certainly extraordinary. 

With Arsenal now strongly in command at the top of the league and the Red Devils showing signs of renaissance under Ten Hag, Sunday's fixture will bring some air of nostalgia to their fans. Arteta has brought new life and hope to the Gunners through a judicious selection of young guns playing free flowing football reminiscent of the Wenger days. Odegaard, Martinelli, Saka are playing with an energy level that is packing a punch through defences while Partey is the strong midfield anchor the Gunners have been looking for in recent years. The defence is strong too and goalkeeper Ramsdale is a proven number 1 that should be England's as well. 

Man Utd got their 10-game winning streak snapped in mid-week at Selhurst Park where they were rather unfortunate to concede the tying goal in extra time. More importantly though was the loss of Casemiro for this match due to a yellow card. The Brazilian is arguably the Red Devils' most valuable player after Rashford so far this season. He is the midfield lynchpin they have been looking for since Roy Keane. Arsenal looks certain to score without the presence of Casemiro giving cover to the back four. In fact, one way Man Utd can sneak a victory out of this is with strong physical play to break the dynamic threat posed by the Gunners' forwards. I sense that the Arsenal attack will overwhelm whatever resistance the vistors can offer and claim a comprehensive win; one of the big steps remaining towards the coveted title.

Win: Arsenal