Welcome back to the Lewnau Sports Bureau!  I hope you all had a happy and hearty Thanksgiving— I know I did!  Last week provided us with some stellar Champions League action featuring a scoreless draw between Juventus and Barcelona, as well as a stunning upset of Basel over Manchester United. In addition, Cules all around the world were gifted with a huge sigh of relief as club legend Leo Messi finally and officially put pen to paper, signing his four year extension for FCB!

As for this week?  Another jammed packed fixture list is in store. Midweek will feature either league or domestic cup matches. Meanwhile, at the weekend is where we’ll find our Match of the Week in Arsenal vs Manchester United, with strictly league games.  I’ll provide you with all you need to know as we await this top 4 Premier League matchup.

In addition, Friday will be of some significance as the World Cup draw will be commencing from the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia.  Therefore, look out for LSB’s bonus article come Saturday featuring an overview of the newly released draw for World Cup Russia 2018!

Arsenal FC vs Manchester United FC
Premier League: Matchday 15
Emirates Stadium, London, England
Saturday, Dec 2nd, 2017    12:30PM EST        NBC

For nearly all of the favorites in Europe’s top 5 leagues, this week should be pretty straight forward.  The two exceptions?  Arsenal and Man United.  Two of England’s top four squads at the moment are set to clash at The Emirates, this Saturday.  What’s at stake?  For both clubs, the possibility of catching first placed Man City at this point seems remote, still, remaining in the top 4, for at least another round of fixtures, and perhaps separating one’s self from those lurking in fifth through eighth in the table is what’s to play for. 

In addition, whilst not being an official derby, the Gunners and Red Devils have developed a rivalry of sorts since the turn of the century.  Since Arsene Wenger took the helm of the north London club two decades ago, the Gunners have been major players in England— winning trophies (primarily the FA Cup, but the Premier League, and League Cup as well) that would have typically been Man U’s.  Also, earning back-to-back Champions League Final berths temporarily stole the limelight off England’s most famous club hailing from Old Trafford, The Theatre of Dreams as it’s so adeptly nicknamed.  Couple this recent success with last year’s addition of Jose Mourinho managing the Red Devils (a man that feuds with just about every manager alive, Wenger especially), and a combustible tension seems to be ever present when these two sides square off.  Thus, an added intensity on the pitch and in the stands will most definitely be palpable from the opening kickoff through the final whistle. That’s a cocktail for great futbol viewing I’d say!

Who has the edge?  Statistically, you’d have to say Man United.  The Red Devils are four points ahead of Arsenal in the standings, and seem to play a more consistent game, particularly on defense and between the sticks.  However, this match won’t be played on paper, or on a computer.  It’ll be played on the pitch, inside The Emirates.  A venue that swallows visitors in, and spits them right back out.  Thus, it’ll be a daunting task for Man U to walk away with a draw, let alone a win.  In addition, in top-tier matches, Jose Mourinho likes to enforce a rather pragmatic approach to his squad’s game.  Thus, there’ll be fewer chances than normal to score for either squad.  So, the question is, who’d you rather trust to put the ball in the back of the net?  Man U’s Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, and Romelu Lukaku?  Or, Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Alexander Lacazette, and clutch super-sub Olivier Giroud?

LSB Prediction:  Arsenal seems to be surging at the moment after beating North London Derby rivals, Spurs, 2-0 at home, followed up with a stoppage-time winner from Alexis at Burnley.  In addition, the Gooners will provide a backdrop of emotional support as they urge Arsenal on.  Therefore, I foresee Alexis, Lacazette, and Giroudm with Ozil playing provider to produce a combined three goals, earning Arsenal a crucial three points.  3-1 Arsenal FC