Betting: Mourinho curse to continue for Wenger with cagey Old Trafford draw
It’s been 13 matches, over a period of 12 years, but Arsene Wenger has never beaten Jose Mourinho.
Other than a Community Shield game last summer, the scalp of Mourinho is one he’s never claimed.
Wenger’s record stands as drawn six, lost seven, and won none. He hasn’t even managed a goal against a Mourinho-managed team since 2007 – five meetings ago.
The Frenchman takes the Gunners to Old Trafford to face Mourinho’s new side Manchester United on Saturday, in what looks a mouth-watering clash.
Arsenal have been near irresistible in a current sixteen match unbeaten streak.
They have only dropped points in three league games since the opening day, and currently sit two points off leaders Liverpool – the only team to beat the Gunners all season.
Progress in the Champions League is already assured, and Alexis Sanchez’s new role through the middle has yielded eight goals in all competitions.
Wenger will be very happy with how his twentieth season in charge is going.
Things aren’t quite as rosy for Mourinho in his first at United.
The former Chelsea boss has already reportedly fallen out with a few in the Old Trafford dressing room, and results have been less than stellar.
Marquee signings Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba netted in a 3-1 win at Swansea last time out, but United sit in sixth – already eight points from the top, and six from the Champions League positions.
Ibrahimovic’s two goals continued his November scoring trend – according to research from bettingexpert, the Swede has 15.8% of his career goals in November, his highest individual month.
Despite their shortcomings, the 0-0 draw at Anfield last month showed Mourinho can still pick up points from the biggest games.
I like the look of Betway’s 9/4 for the draw.
Arsenal appear the better side, but that form often disappears when they visit Old Trafford. They have only one away win over United since 2006.
Add to that Wenger’s record over Mourinho, and that key man Sanchez played 90 minutes in Chile on Tuesday night despite carrying a knock, I suspect the Gunners will be pleased with a point.
A cagey game awaits, and I will be selling total goals at 2.5 with Sporting Index.
Pointers
Draw – 9/4 (Betway)
Sell total goals – 2.5 (Sporting Index)