Mikael Silvestre previews Arsenal vs Man Utd

It’s a big game weekend in the Premier League as two traditional rivals collide at the Emirates with Arsenal hosting Manchester United.

Both teams have had less than ideal starts to their 2023-24 campaigns. Arsenal are undefeated, winning two and drawing one while the Red Devils have notched two wins but lost to Arsenal’s North London neighbours, Tottenham.

In this article:

• Neither side should be considered favourites
• Defensive issues abound for both sides
• Arteta should revert to the backline from last season
• Key player battles
• Mikael Silvestre’s combined XI
• Gamble Responsibly

To preview this game, we talked to a man who suited up for both clubs in his career – Mikael Silvestre.

Neither side has shown enough to be considered favourites

As both sides have faced jitters in their first three matches, Silvestre finds it hard to pick out a clear favourite.

“It’s a fair fight between both teams as they’ve started the season fairly equally because of the start they’ve had, and both are lacking certainty. They haven’t shown enough for me to say one is on top of the other.”

The four-time Premier League winner stresses the importance of getting three points in such an important fixture, saying that it would be a statement early on in the season.

“It’s a big game early on in the season, and it’s important to keep the momentum going whilst both sides are working out their game.” 

“A win is a statement and also an opportunity to play against one of the higher competitive teams.”

Defensive issues abound for both sides

The ex-France defender elaborated on the weaknesses of both sides, saying that the Red Devils are missing Luke Shaw due to injury and their back line has been unstable. Diogo Dalot, possibly playing on the left, adds to that instability.

“The back four of United is unstable, and they have no left back currently.” 

“Martinez, Lindelof and Varane have been playing, but there’s no consistency. Dalot, who was starting most of last season at right-back, now has to play on the left.” 

“United also have a new goalkeeper, so it’s a work in progress. That’s a question mark, and Arsenal can take advantage.”

For the Gunners, he sees the backline as a place where questions have been asked so far, as Mikel Arteta has opted to use Thomas Partey as a right-back and not start Gabriel Magalhaes.

“For Arsenal, I also see defensive issues. They’ve had injuries with Timber and the backline; there’s question marks. You need time to settle the back four and the goalkeeper.” 

“There’s been changes from the coach due to personal choices and injuries.”

Arteta should revert to the backline from last season

Silvestre thinks that it would be better for Arsenal to return to the same defensive lineup they used for most of the 2023-24 season, as the current experiment hasn’t taken the club to the next level.

“So far, we have not seen an upgrade with the new backline. So maybe there’s a debate about that.”

“I don’t know the reason, so it’s difficult to judge, but so far, you could argue that the backline from last season was showing more robustness than this one. And also offensively, I don’t see the benefit.”

He does, however, say that the injury to Timber seems to have delayed the time span that Arteta was expecting to have his new formula in place.

“That being said, Zinchenko didn’t play, Timber was injured early, so maybe they didn’t have time to put that new formula in place.” 

Key player battles

Midfield is where Silvestre thinks the game will be won or lost by either side, and he’s looking forward to seeing some quality players go up against each other.

“The midfield battle will be key. Rice, Ødegaard and Partey against Casemiro, Fernandes and Eriksen, if he starts, could be extremely important and decisive.”

The former French international also warned Man Utd, saying that the shape they showed against Wolves will not work against a ball-dominant team like Arsenal.

“We know Arsenal like to be on the ball a lot and take control of games, but United have good players, and they will need to counter Arsenal in midfield to make sure they don’t take control knowing they’re away from home.” 

“Don’t drop too deep and stay compact. Their compactness against Wolves wasn’t good. There was too much space, and against Arsenal, you have to work as a unit.”

Mikael Silvestre’s combined XI

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