…as Ronaldo returns to Old Trafford
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil stole the show as Arsenal swept to their 10th successive win with a dominant 3-1 victory against Leicester on Monday.
Unai Emery’s side initially trailed to Hector Bellerin’s first half own goal at the Emirates Stadium.
But Ozil, captaining Arsenal on his return to the side after back spasms, produced a majestic display to lead the Gunners’ impressive fightback.
Ozil, shrugging off his poor start to the season, equalised just before half-time and played a key role in Aubameyang’s second half double.
Gabon striker Aubameyang scored twice in quick succession after coming off the bench, ensuring Arsenal won 10 consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since 2007.
They have scored 30 goals in that blistering streak and climb to fourth place in the Premier League, just two points behind leaders Manchester City.
On the 69th birthday of Emery’s predecessor Arsene Wenger, this was the kind of swashbuckling show that recalled Arsenal’s glory days under the Frenchman.
It was the perfect start to a hectic week that sees Arsenal travel to Portugal for a Europa League tie against Sporting Lisbon on Thursday before returning to domestic action at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Emery has made a remarkable impact since replacing Wenger in the close-season.
The Spanish manager’s two-game losing streak at the start of his Arsenal reign is now a distant memory as Gunners fans start to dream of a title challenge after their seventh successive league win. – Agency report.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford as the starring sub-plot of a mouth-watering Champions League clash between Manchester United and Juventus tonight.
Juve lead the way in Group H with two wins from two, whereas United are two points further back after drawing with Valencia in their last European outing.
Anthony Martial is expected to keep his place in the United side after scoring twice against Chelsea to take his tally to three goals in his last two games for the club.
Fellow forward Romelu Lukaku is not in such hot form in front of goal, though, having now failed to find the back of the net in his last seven outings for United.
Lukaku is nonetheless expected to lead the line once again in what could be an unchanged team from the one which came so close to victory at Chelsea.
Fred is pushing for a start in midfield, but Juan Mata’s display at Stamford Bridge could mean that he gets the nod alongside Nemanja Matic and former Juve man Paul Pogbaonce again.
Juventus will be able to welcome Ronaldo back into the starting lineup, with the Portuguese talisman returning to a club where he scored 118 goals in 292 appearances.
The visitors could be without former Liverpool midfielder Emre Can, who may need surgery for a thyroid problem. Allegri rested Giorgio Chiellini and Dybala for the weekend draw with Genoa, and both could be in line to return for this match.
