Casemiro and Fred are walking a disciplinary tightrope, sitting on 4 bookings each and will be suspended against Arsenal if they pick another against Palace on Wednesday
By Kehinde Okeowo
Manchester United may be without two of their key midfielders when they face Arsenal on Sunday, January 22, as Casimero and Fred face potential suspension ahead of their crucial encounter at Emirates.
The development could be a boost for the Gunners who are in the middle of what could be a season-defining run of fixtures, with the Premier League title well within their grasp this campaign.
Arsenal currently sit 8 points clear of nearest rivals and champions, Manchester City, after dispatching local rivals, Spurs 2-0 in the derby played last Sunday.
The victory over Antonio Conte’s men away from home certainly boosted their title hope, especially after missing out on a Champions League berth after faltering there late last season.
“It’s a great position to be in,” Mikel Arteta said about his side’s lead at the top of the table. “Let’s enjoy the moment and keep focusing. The enjoyment is going to come if we keep focusing on what we have to do.”
However, the Premier League is only just at the halfway stage of the campaign and there are plenty of football left to play before anything is decided.
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The Gunners next face Manchester United, who are the only side they have lost to in 18 league fixtures this season.
The encounter comes after the Red Devils showed off their own potential title credentials, beating their arch-rivals Manchester City in their own derby at Old Trafford over the weekend.
While the clash is set to be a huge one for both sides, Arsenal could be handed a potential boost with some suspensions for the game.
This is because United midfielders Fred and Casemiro are both walking a disciplinary tightrope, sitting on 4 bookings each and with a game against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, before travelling to north London.
Should they both pick up yellow cards against the Eagles, they will be banned from facing Arsenal.
However, if they are able to get through that game without that, the disciplinary record will move to 10 bookings for a ban for the second half of the season.
Manchester United could go within three points of Arsenal should they win the encounter, but a Gunners’ win means they would at least maintain their 9 points lead over Ten Hag’s men no matter the outcome of the Red Devil’s game against Palace.
