"This is a blow", "Now this is bad" - Arsenal fans react as star man set to miss PL clash against Manchester United
Arsenal fans on X are fearing the worst after Gabriel Magalhaes was excluded from the matchday squad to face Manchester United. The two Premier League giants are set to face each other at the Emirates Stadium later tonight (Wednesday, December 4).
David Raya starts in goal for Arsenal. Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, and Oleksandr Zinchenko make up the defense. The midfield comprises of Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, and Declan Rice. Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, and Kai Havertz start up front to complete the XI.
Both Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori miss out due to injury. The former has been a colossus for Arsenal at the back, forging a key defensive partnership with William Saliba. In addition, the Brazilian has emerged as a vital set-piece asset for his side, scoring four goals from 19 appearances across competitions.
One Arsenal fan posted:
"Damn! This is a blow, I feel like Saliba is more secured with Big Gabi besides me"
Another fan tweeted:
"Now this is bad"
Other fan reactions can be viewed below:
"I’ve a bad feeling for today’s game honestly," one fan admitted
"who's gonna score a corner for us now?" one fan questioned
"Can we please have a break," another added
"Gabriel missing out is a blow ffs Kiwior gonna give us a high blood pressure all game we dont need that," another tweeted
"I’ll go for them to win" - Mark Lawrenson provides scoreline prediction for Arsenal vs Manchester United
Football pundit Mark Lawrenson has backed Arsenal to defeat Manchester United in their upcoming Premier League clash.
The Gunners will be aiming to secure all three points to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool. The former are in second place with 25 points from 13 games, nine points behind the Reds. They have also won just two out of their last five league games, drawing two, and losing one.
Meanwhile, United are in ninth place with 19 points. However, Ruben Amorim has made a positive start to his tenure as head coach, most recently dispatching Everton 4-0 over the weekend.
The Gunners will be the firm favorites to get the win. They have won seven out of their last nine home league games against Manchester United, drawing one, and losing the other.
Lawrenson wrote (via Paddy Power News):
"United had a really good win, with Rashford and Zirkzee getting a brace each, but for half an hour, they were under the cosh. Everton had their chances, but then they completely collapsed. Amorim still won’t know what his best team is, but he’s got mobility, and he has players who look hungry to score—the three strikers have all scored twice in the last couple of games."
He added:
"Arsenal dealt with West Ham comfortably and know they’ll have to keep winning now to have a chance of keeping up with Liverpool and staying with them. Recent results have shown that, with their captain back, they have rediscovered their mojo. They look the biggest threat to Liverpool at the moment, and I’ll go for them to win—"
Lawrenson's Prediction: 2-1
