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Running the numbers of Paul Pogba’s previous record against Arsenal

Pogba & co make the trip to the Emirates on Saturday hoping to avoid Premier League capital punishment for the second season running.

Paul Pogba and Manchester United have been on fire. The Red Devils have steamrolled their way up the table and the French midfielder has been a big part of their ascent in the Premier League.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side now head to Arsenal, hoping to win there in the league for the first time since December 2017, where Pogba was sent off.

That, along with giving a penalty away in the reverse fixture at the Theatre of Dreams in November, would've been a personally disappointing day but 'La Pioche' has impressed against the Gunners plenty of other times.

Stat attack

Pogba has faced Arsenal seven times from the 10 fixtures played since he returned to Old Trafford. In those meetings, Man United have claimed three victories, drawn twice and lost two of them, and it's never been easy.

Pogba has one goal and two assists to his name in the seven games, among a couple of powerhouse performances.
The aforementioned red card came in one of those wins, after he helped give the Red Devils a 1-3 advantage under Jose Mourinho three years ago.
In this campaign's Old Trafford defeat, Pogba gifted the Gunners their only real sniff at a goal in a dire affair, sluggishly fouling Hector Bellerin the box - having been 'out of breath' - to give Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the chance to score from the penalty spot.
So, it's been a mixed bag but Saturday's game is another opportunity to turn doubters to believers as he continues to prove himself as a match winner.
Let's take a look at his best previous displays versus Arsenal.

READ MORE: Paul Pogba's most iconic moments

Top five performances

Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal

Premier League, Old Trafford

April 29, 2018

The last Mourinho vs Arsene Wenger clash was only a memorable one for that reason as Marouane Fellaini's header in the 91st minute gave Man United all three points after 90 minutes of typical end of term football.
Pogba ran the show, gaining an 8.0 rating on whoscored.com, bagging the Red Devils' first after beating Granit Xhaka in the build-up, one of four completed dribbles.
France's deep-lying playmaker also won two aerial duels and had an awesome 84% pass accuracy.
Pogba's fractious relationship with Jose would come to an end eight months later but he gave one his better performances under the boss on a bright Sunday afternoon.

Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United

FA Cup, Emirates Stadium

January 25, 2019

When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over from Mourinho in December 2018, his beloved Man United went on a formidable eight-game winning run.
The eighth game was a mouth-watering tie at the Emirates as the Red Devils ran riot early on but Aubameyang's strike made it 1-2 before the break, meaning the feisty affair was in the balance until the 82nd minute.
Pogba picked up a loose ball to drive 40 yards and unleash a shot that Petr Cech could only parry to compatriot Anthony Martial, who sealed a safe passage to goal.
That was the Frenchman's 10th direct contribution to a goal in the run, which helped Solskjaer earn the job on a permanent basis.

Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal

Premier League, Old Trafford

November 19, 2016

Expected to do almost everything in midfield and emulate Bryan Robson on a weekly basis, Pogba's more reserved performances often go overlooked and are deemed as flops.
In his first meeting with Arsenal back in Manchester, the still-settling-in middle man was employed in an advanced role but did his fair share of defensive work.
Pogba won five aerial duels, ranking second for that statistic in the match, made two tackles and completed two dribbles as France international teammate Olivier Giroud equalised late on.
Missing the reverse fixture later in the campaign, the World Cup winner, now 27, had a successful first season back at the club, claiming two trophies.

Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal

Premier League, Old Trafford

September 30, 2019

Another dour draw and another solid Pogba display.

Partnering goal scorer Scott McTominay, the French star was a vital part of the Red Devils largely controlling the game.

Pogba sat in a double pivot next to the Scotland international and the 2013 Golden Boy avoided suffocation from a grafting Gunners midfield, which resulted in McTominay reaping the rewards as the free man.
Aubameyang netted again thanks to some VAR assistance and Pogba would go on to miss most of the season through injury but couldn't have been faulted too much on the day.

Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United

Premier League, Emirates Stadium

March 10, 2019

To end, we could've gone for his showing in 2017, which ended when he was given his marching orders on 74 minutes after he grabbed two assists, but Pogba got through 90 minutes in this frustrating defeat under Solskjaer.

Following a famous midweek win for United in Paris, a speculative Xhaka strike and an Aubameyang penalty killed the feel good factor that day down in London.

Despite the score line suggesting otherwise, Man United outshot the Gunners with more efforts on target and hit the woodwork twice, with the midfielder playing his part.
Pogba won 100% of his battles in the air, made one key pass - as Fred failed to reach a sure shot on goal - and boasted a success rate of 80%.
Hoping it'll be third time lucky at Arsenal on Saturday, MUFC's no. 6 is set to be key again.

Tip of the fixture

Pogba is priced at 12/1 to score first or last, with another 1-3 United win being priced at 14/1 on paddypower.com.

[Odds correct at time of writing, subject to change]

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