Arsenal v Man Utd: Scoreline Tip

Manchester United’s 2-0 victory away to Schalke on Tuesday night has been described by many as the most one-sided Champions League semi-final ever - Sir Alex Ferguson’s troops have just kicked into top gear. They have looked like a team capable of grinding out results for a while, but now they look capable of something extra.

A convincing United win on Sunday is strongly supported by the form book but the bookies can’t look past the fact that Arsenal don’t lose very often at the Emirates. Well, they don’t go on runs of one win in seven very often either, and rarely will they take to the pitch feeling more dispirited. Wenger has effectively admitted defeat for this season, and it’s hard to see a rebuilding process beginning before the summer.

With this in mind, there is surprisingly great value in predicting a scoreline win in United’s favour. Skybet are laying 28/1 on a 3-1 win for the Red Devils; I can scarcely remember such a plausible outcome at odds so long. United suddenly seem to have potential goal-getters aplenty, with the Rooney-Hernandez partnership looking ever more dynamic by the week. For their part, the Gunners have never really recovered from the loss of Vermaelen at centre back. Three goals recently conceded at White Hart Lane were followed by two, even with a missed penalty, when defeated at Bolton last week.

I would rarely bet against Arsenal scoring themselves however. Van Persie’s goal record of 18 in 19 matches in 2011 is worthy of consideration in itself. But United will surely have the confidence to put on a performance worthy of champions on Sunday. 3-1 is a long odds scoreline at the best of times but this is the perfect time to consider its value. United are the better side and Arsenal will keep attacking because they know no other way. Ferguson has the know-how and the players to add goals when Wenger’s side chase the game. The bookies should consider that the Mancunians have won six of the last seven against their old London foes. Expect more of the same, and reap the rewards.