Arsenal are set to face Manchester United in a crucial game in the Premier League title race, but they will be heading in with full confidence.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been outstanding in recent weeks, but need to keep a perfect record if they are to pip Manchester City to the Premier League title.
It is a different story for Manchester United, who were demolished 4-0 by Crystal Palace in their last game, and have won just one of their last seven Premier League games.
Their defeat to Crystal Palace saw struggling midfielder Casemiro line up at centre-back, with the club currently in an injury crisis, and he dropped a disastrous display at Selhurst Park, and the poor defensive ability of Erik ten Hag’s side does not bode well for the visit of the league’s top scorers.
Shock Casemiro stat emerges ahead of Man United vs Arsenal
Man United were torn to shreds against Crystal Palace, with reported Arsenal target Michael Olise scoring twice, and Casemiro was particularly bad as he could not handle the speed of the opponents.
It has now emerged that the former Real Madrid star was dribbled past eight times against Crystal Palace, more than any player has been in any Premier League game this season.
Casemiro labelled as “embarrassing” by Jamie Carragher ahead of Arsenal visit to Old Trafford
The gap between the two sides has not been as large as it is now in a very long time. Arsenal have been blessed with a fully fit squad for the run-in, whilst United are missing several key players.
Arteta’s side are in excellent form, and the mood around the club is positive. Meanwhile, United are reaching crisis level on and off the pitch.
Jamie Carragher labelled Man United’s players, and Casemiro in particular, as “embarrassing” during their defeat to Crystal Palace, in what was yet another dire performance under Ten Hag.
“Listen, he’s playing out of position tonight. This has got nothing to do with playing out of position. That could be a holding midfield role. That is embarrassing,” he stated at half-time of the five-time Champions League winner.
“They need to bring him off. He needs to come off the pitch. Honestly. Nothing can be worse than Casemiro playing at centre-back in this second half for Manchester United.”
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Casemiro’s display saw him beaten in eight separate challenges, including in the build-up for the first goal as Olise dribbled past him in spectacular fashion.
To put his performance into context, Casemiro was dribbled past eight times in 90 minutes at Selhurst Park, whilst Arsenal defender William Saliba has been dribbled past just six times in 36 games all season.
Casemiro was playing out of position at centre-back, but the Brazil star also did the basics wrong as he was beaten physically and could not help his side build play with his below-par passing.
Arsenal have been scoring freely of late, with 11 goals in the last three games, and if the in-form Kai Havertz is going to come up against Casemiro as a centre-back at Old Trafford, Arteta will fancy his side to secure a rare win at a ground where they often fall to defeat.