Friday October 30 2020
Football Nerd
Bruno Fernandes can show Arsenal exactly what they are missing
By Daniel Zeqiri
Meetings between Manchester United and Arsenal no longer promise the fire of title deciders past, but this Sunday's game is nevertheless an intriguing match-up between two teams searching for balance.
Mikel Arteta has been lavished with near enough ceaseless praise since taking over at the Emirates, but questions are being asked about Arsenal's lack of attacking punch.
They have not scored a goal in consecutive defeats against Manchester City and Leicester City and have the fourth-lowest shot count in the Premier League.
After a failed move for Lyon creator Houssem Aouar last summer, Arsenal are struggling to link midfield and attack with Thomas Partey, Dani Ceballos and Granit Xhaka all preferring deeper roles.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's United faced a similar problem last year but signed Bruno Fernandes in January, who could provide Arsenal with an acute reminder of the player they lack on Sunday.
I analyse his excellent early season numbers here, and see where Arsenal's players rank in the same categories.
Want more sport in your inbox? Sign up to receive our weekly Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal newsletters
A Telegraph Sport subscription is only £1 a week, or £40 for 12 months
Get unlimited access
Telegraph Football: the best of this week's coverage
Revealed: The evolution of Marcus Rashford from raw teenage talent to one of Europe's most feared attackers
Is there a place for Dele Alli in Jose Mourinho's Spurs team? Jim White looks at an unexpected decline in the player's fortunes
Tyrone Mings interview: 'Why did we take a knee? Why did we protest? To bring about real change'
Luke Edwards wonders whether Steve Bruce will ever do enough to satisfy Newcastle fans
He was humbled at Old Trafford, but Jason Burt takes a detailed look at Julian Nagelsmann - the hottest property in football management
This week's screamer
“Rick, you can’t seriously expect me and football fans to believe the American owners of Liverpool and Manchester United care about the long-term future of English football?”
Jamie Carragher interviews Ricky Parry who insists Project Big Picture is not dead
This week's best stat
106
Number of chances created by Jack Grealish in the Premier League since the start of last season, the highest of any English player. Only Kevin De Bruyne has created more.
The week in a picture
CREDIT: PA
Royal Antwerp celebrate a famous European victory against Tottenham Hotspur.