Jermaine Jenas believes Arsenal could get ‘caught out’ by Manchester United in Sunday’s crunch Premier League encounter.
Mikel Arteta’s side are sitting comfortable at the top of the table, despite missing out on the opportunity to go nine points clear of Manchester City after their goalless draw with Nottingham Forest last weekend.
The Gunners are unbeaten in their last 12 matches in all competitions, but face a potential banana skin on Sunday against United, who have made a bright start to life under new interim head coach Michael Carrick.
Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu saw United coast to a 2-0 win over City last weekend in what was a hugely promising display in Carrick’s game in charge.
And former Tottenham midfielder Jenas believes United’s performance against City could provide them with a blueprint to go to the Emirates and get another positive result on Sunday.
‘Watching that game against Man City, the first thing I saw was well-drilled, organisation and partnerships were developing,’ he said on the Wilcards Podcast.
‘Up top with Mbeumo and Fernandes, they were linking up loads, obviously got that assist for Mbeumo for the first goal of the game.
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‘Defensively, the Martinez and Maguire situation looks solid as well. Casemiro in the midfield with Kobbie Mainoo – all of a sudden, there were some partnerships that you looked at and said, ‘Oh, they could be tough to play against’.’
Jenas continued: ‘And I think against Arsenal, whenever I watch Arsenal, I don’t feel like they break teams down easily.
‘Obviously, they have the set-pieces which helps and Gabriuel jesus might help that situation, but you can’t help but look at it and see United playing counterattacking football.
‘And if they do, Mbeumo and Fernandes are great options because of the style of play and the way this game is going to play out.
‘If Arsenal don’t sort out the counterattack situation very well, they could get caught out. And I think those players, whether it’s Amad Diallo, Fernandes or Mbeumo, I think they will cause problems.’
Not everyone is convinced by United’s chances, however, with Paul Merson suggesting the Red Devils have ‘no chance’ against an Arsenal side that are yet to lose at home this season.
‘United have got to stay in the game as long as they can,’ Merson said on Sky Sports.
‘I think the longer it goes, it goes to 20 minutes, 30, 40, half-time and into the second half, you know Arsenal will start panicking because they are only going to be four points above Man City probably by the time that game kicks off.
‘We expect Man City to win [against Wolves on Saturday] so the pressure will be on Arsenal.
‘So they just have to stay in the game. I don’t think they want to get into an end-to-end football match, but if they do, I think there is only one winner and that will be Arsenal.’
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