Defensive dearth must mean goals galore in Arsenal v Man Utd match

Take odds of 4/1 with Coral on Arsenal v Manchester United this weekend containing a total of over 4.5 goals, because of the injury crisis facing both sides in defence.

Hosts Arsenal are without France international pair Mathieu Debuchy and Laurent Koscielny, leaving them with just four fit senior options to fill their rearguard. Arsene Wenger is having to play Spanish full back Nacho Monreal as a makeshift centre half, a tactic which cost him dear in the Gunners’ last outing.

Monreal was caught under the ball when Swansea City substitute Bafetimbi Gomis scored his side’s winner, as Arsenal lost the lead and three points. Couple these defensive woes for the Gunners with a shortage on a much greater scale in United ranks, and those 4/1 odds really are tempting.

Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal could be without up to eight players at the back. Number one David De Gea dislocated a finger on international duty, while Luke Shaw and Michael Carrick picked up groin problems whilst with England. Utility man Daley Blind has been ruled out for six months with knee ligament damage, and Marcos Rojo’s shoulder injury has ruled him out for the foreseeable future.

And the list on the United treatment table goes on. Brazilian right back Rafael is struggling with a muscle problem, Phil Jones has shin splints and fellow defender Jonny Evans a niggling ankle injury. Van Gaal has no option, but to blood Red Devils youngsters or play senior names out of position.

This is all to the good for punters, though. A £10 investment on the total goals over 4.5 market will see that tenner turned into £50. The prospect of £40 profit is alluring indeed, especially as Arsenal attacker Danny Welbeck has a point to prove in facing his former club here, and Chile forward Alexis Sanchez is scoring for fun after six in four.

With in-form Red Devils captain Wayne Rooney, ex-Gunners skipper Robin van Persie, who has scored for both clubs in this fixture, and Argentina winger Angel Di Maria as dangers for United, and we will surely see the net bulge regularly in this encounter.