Premier League
Arsenal vs Huddersfield Preview
Emirates Stadium, London – Arsenal will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to 21 matches when they host Huddersfield in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Gunners twice took the lead against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday night before Jesse Lingard’s second-half strike earned the hosts a 2-2 draw.
Huddersfield, meanwhile, know that a victory may be a tall order but, with the Terriers already finding themselves in a relegation fight, being a point above the relegation zone, looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat.
Previous Encounters:
Arsenal won both Premier League meetings with Huddersfield Town last season (5-0 at home, 1-0 away) and are unbeaten in 10 games against them in all competitions (W8 D2).
View From Both Camps:
Unai Emery (Arsenal):
“At the moment we have a good feeling after a good result, but we need to close with a victory on Saturday.”
“Defensively we are conceding a lot of goals in each match, but the balance at the moment is positive because our attacking players are creating a lot of chances and we are scoring a lot.”
“That’s good but we need to take a good balance in the attacking and defensive moments.”
David Wagner (Huddersfield):
“We have to fight with everything we have to keep the ball out of the net,” said head coach David Wagner.”
“This is the first thing you have to make 100 per cent right if you like to get something out of a game against a team like Arsenal away.”
Team News:
Rob Holding is reportedly out for 6-9 months, with Aaron Ramsey (ankle) and Mesut Ozil (back) being doubtful.
Granit Xhaka is available following suspension while defender Laurent Koscielny (Achilles) is nearing a return.
Nacho Monreal (hamstring), Konstantinos Mavropanos (groin) and Danny Welbeck (ankle) remain sidelined.
Philip Billing and Steve Mounie are suspended for Huddersfield and Abdelhamid Sabiri is out due to a broken collarbone.
Full-back Chris Lowe could return after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Predicted Lineups:
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Leno; Bellerin, Mustafi, Sokratis, Kolasinac; Xhaka, Torreira; Mkhitaryan, Iwobi , Aubameyang; Lacazette.
Huddersfield (3-5-2): Lossl; Zanka, Schindler, Kongolo; Hadergjonaj, Williams, Hogg, Mooy, Durm; Pritchard, Depoitre.
Match Prediction:
Arsenal head into this match sitting level on points with the top four, while Huddersfield are one point above the relegation zone. The Terriers may have won just one of their last 10 away matches in the Premier League, but they have not suffered back-to-back losses on their travels since March. Keeping that run going with a point here is surely too big of an ask, with the Gunners looking very strong of late.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Huddersfield
Photo credit to Dickson Dagogo via Flickr
