Arsenal vs Manchester United Prediction: Jesus won’t save the Gunners

The FA Cup really cranks into gear this weekend, as the big boys enter the competition at the third-round stage. On Sunday (15:00, BBC One), two of the biggest of them all face each other, as Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester United do battle in front of a huge terrestrial audience.

Here, I've given you my Arsenal vs Manchester United predictions, complete with all the latest team news, match odds and stats.

Mikel Arteta comes into this game on the back of a terribly disappointing loss in the other domestic cup in midweek, where Newcastle United comprehensively defeated them at the Emirates 2-0. He followed up that loss with some now highly-mocked remarks about the team not coping with a different ball in the Carabao Cup, which came across as sour grapes after another Arsenal capitulation.

The Gunners have the chance of some immediate retribution against a United side that are struggling to find their identity and any sort of level of consistency under new boss Ruben Amorim. The Red Devils did, however, put together a much-improved showing against league-leading Liverpool on Sunday, drawing 2-2 and playing some tidier overall football, to put a run of three straight league defeats behind them.

Football Odds

Team News

Arteta may be tempted to rotate the pack after a dismal showing on Tuesday night but is still without Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri and Ben White. Raheem Sterling has returned to training and three of the subs from the Newcastle game (Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jorginho) could be in line for starts.

As for Amorim, the result and more importantly the performance should give the Portuguese some confidence that he is finally starting to stumble upon his best starting 11 and playing shape. With that in mind it appears unlikely we will see too many changes for the trip down south. Luke Shaw and Mason Mount remain unavailable and it remains to be seen if wantaway striker Marcus Rashford will be included in the travelling party.

Arsenal vs Manchester United Odds

Seventeen points separate these two teams and that is reflected in the betting odds, where Arsenal are 7/10 to record back-to-back victories over Manchester United, having beaten them 2-0 at the Emirates just over a month ago. Those odds give the Gunners an implied win probability of 58.8%, while the Red Devils are 4/1, or a 20% chance. If you fancy extra time, then a draw is available at 11/4.

Both teams feature towards the lower end of the both teams to score stats, yet despite that BTTS - Yes is priced up at 4/5, while over 2.5 goals is exactly the same price with Betfred.

On-form Gabriel Jesus is the leading pick in the anytime goalscorer marker at 7/4, whilst it was the magic of set-piece guru Nicolas Jover who created carnage back in December, with Jurrien Timber and William Saliba scoring both goals. They are 10/1 and 12/1 respectively to repeat that feat on Sunday. As for United, Rasmus Hojlund leads the way at 11/4.

Gabriel Jesus first goal scorer @ 4/1

The 27-year-old Brazilian has found his time in north London sadly interrupted by injuries but when he has had the chance for a long run of appearances has generally shown his talent. He exploded back into form recently, smashing in six goals in the space of four games, including a hat-trick and then a brace in back-to-back games against Crystal Palace.

After a really poor performance from Arsenal against the Magpies, it looks likely that Arteta will make some changes and one of those could be the reinstalling of Jesus as a genuine number nine. Manchester United's backline has looked terribly porous in recent times, letting in 13 goals in their last five games in all competitions and Jesus should find some joy here.

I've taken him to score the first goal and Betfred are running their famed Double-Delight / Hat-Trick Heaven promotion on this match meaning should the Brazilian score first and then net a second, you will be paid at double the odds (8/1). If he then goes on to complete the hat-trick you will receive a treble pay-out (12/1).

Draw and BTTS @ 18/5

If you had asked me to write this preview last week I would have taken Arsenal to win comfortably. However, the results over the last seven days have changed the landscape for both clubs and I foresee this one being much closer than originally anticipated.

Arsenal looked in turmoil against the Geordies and United were the better team away at a very good Liverpool side. I get the feeling that Amorim has started to work a little bit of his magic on the training ground and whilst it's clear they have a long way to go, there were genuine green shoots in that performance on Merseyside.

There was some really neat, one-touch football played by Man Utd and if they can keep that up here, they can really get at an Arsenal side that look to be lacking confidence at times.

I think this will be a hugely entertaining, high-scoring, full-throttle cup tie, which could see a similar score line to last Sunday. I'm going for a draw, BTTS and some fun and games in extra-time.

Offers

Double Delight & Hat-Trick Heaven: Place a pre-match single bet on the first goalscorer market and get DOUBLE or TREBLE the odds if your winning First Goalscorer bet scores a 2nd and 3rd.

Place an In-Play single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on any FA Cup game on Saturday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on Sunday’s FA Cup games.

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down.

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