Manchester United vs Arsenal preview
A vintage rivalry renewed. Two old foes pit their wits against one another, as top-of-the-table Arsenal visit a resurgent Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Arsenal face Manchester United with a 100% record so far in the Premier League after 5 matches played. The Gunners have been in relentless form at the start of the season and will look to continue that when Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils host Mikel Arteta’s men.
Three consecutive wins over Liverpool, Southampton and now Leicester have lifted Man United up to fifth in the table with nine points gleaned from the opening 15 on offer, but a mere five goals is the lowest tally out of any team in the top half.
Ten Hag may have spent all of Thursday preparing his players for battle in Leicester, but the Red Devils hierarchy continued to work behind the scenes until the 11 pm transfer deadline and officially welcomed Antony and Martin Dubravka to Old Trafford ahead of the visit of Arsenal.
Baller Antony 💫#MUFC #ManUtd pic.twitter.com/Mhr0jWdoeX
— FootTheBall FC (@FootTheBallFC) September 1, 2022
Not since the 1947-48 campaign have Arsenal opened a top-flight season with six successive wins, and they went all the way to title glory that year, but Old Trafford is not a happy hunting ground for the North London club, who have won just one of their last 15 Premier League outings away to Manchester United.
While the end to their summer window was somewhat underwhelming, the confidence flowing through Mikel Arteta’s side right now is unlike anything fans have seen in years at the Emirates. The Spaniard’s project is well underway and a statement victory on Sunday would certainly send a message out to the rest of the division.
Manchester United vs Arsenal team news
Following confirmation of his £85.4m move from Ajax, Antony could be at Ten Hag’s disposal for the weekend, while Dubravka ought to take his place on the bench as he prepares to provide backup and competition to David de Gea. Full-backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw were also absent from the win over Leicester due to minor complaints and will need last-minute assessments.
Manchester United predicted starting lineup: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, Eriksen; Sancho, Fernandes, Ronaldo; Rashford
Oleksandr Zinchenko is yet to return to team training following a knee injury and is set to miss out again. Arteta will also need to assess Aaron Ramsdale and Martin Odegaard, both of whom sustained knocks in the midweek success over Aston Villa. Reiss Nelson has been joined on the sidelines by Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny.
Arsenal predicted starting lineup: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Lokonga; Saka, Smith Rowe, Martinelli; Jesus.
Gamechangers
United’s upturn in form coincided with Raphael Varane and Tyrell Malacia’s respective introductions into the playing XI and both will continue in defence on Sunday. Varane has established a stout partnership with summer arrival Lisandro Martinez.
World cup winner Varane in particular has been key to United’s revival. The Frenchman had an injury-hit first season but has looked sharp this term. The experience he brings to the table for Erik ten Hag and Manchester United is invaluable and he’ll be key in shutting down Arsenal’s attack for the first time this season.
Arsenal are interested in getting Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz, with the player also interested in the move 🚨
(via @FabrizioRomano)#DeadlineDay #Transfers pic.twitter.com/VH5AD8uhJG
— FootTheBall FC (@FootTheBallFC) September 1, 2022
There is no doubt that Gabriel Jesus has been in red hot form for the Gunners since his move from Manchester City in the summer. Last season, Mikel Arteta’s team struggled for goals, but the Brazilian has seemed to have solved that issue.
It will an interesting competition between Varane and Jesus and the game might be decided on which player comes out on top. If Jesus gets in his groove, it will be a tough day at the office for the hosts.
Manchester United vs Arsenal prediction
Even if Arsenal have made a phenomenal start to the new season, injuries to key players could spell the end of their golden streak at a ground where the formula for success is simply not there.
Man United appear to be finding their feet under Ten Hag, but a continued lack of ruthlessness will restrict their ability to keep their own victorious run going, and the two giants of the game should play out a low-scoring draw this weekend.
The Gunners have been superb in their opening five games and while United haven’t exactly been overly impressive despite their recent upturn in form, Old Trafford is still a very tough place to visit and win. FootTheBall predicts Manchester United 0-0 Arsenal.