Arsenal vs Manchester United: Team News, Prediction, & Preview
The Premier League resumes play this weekend with a new slate of games, beginning on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium when Arsenal squares up against Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United team.
As for the records go, Arsenal have won five out of their seven meet ups with Manchester United. Both Gunners and Red Devils are in a fine form as they are set to collide. But who will come up at top?
Table-toppers Arsenal welcome third-placed Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon in an effort to exact revenge on the only side to have defeated them in the Premier League this year. With a victory in front of their devoted supporters, the Gunners can increase their lead over Erik ten Hag’s team by 11 points, while the visitors try to keep Manchester City in reach.
Arsenal vs Manchester United: Preview
After winning man-of-the-match honors in the North London derby, Aaron Ramsdale was given a kick in the back by a fan. If Arsenal keeps destroying nearly every opponent in their way, one may anticipate Ramsdale using wind-up merchant techniques in front of the Man United end.
A 35-year-old man has since been charged with assault in connection with the incident. Hugo Lloris’ own goal and a superb Martin Odegaard effort were just rewards for a thoroughly dominant Arsenal performance at the same end of the field in the first half. Ramsdale made a number of key saves against Tottenham Hotspur before being targeted by a spectator.
Arsenal’s 10-game winning streak may have been snapped by Newcastle United at the Emirates earlier this month, but the Gunners have not given up a goal since the start of the year, and they have all the drive they need to make up for their setback at Old Trafford.
As Ten Hag‘s team missed the opportunity to momentarily go up to second in the rankings with a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Wednesday night, the Red Devils supporters would have certainly displayed more passion than Michael Olise did after his incredible free kick.
Bruno Fernandes’ curling goal gave the Red Devils the lead just before halftime thanks to an exquisite Christian Eriksen-Fernandes partnership. However, a scorching Olise free kick that was headed in during second-half stoppage time was stopped from giving Man United their 10th straight victory across all competitions.
Man United, which is now enjoying third place while Ten Hag works his magic, has a nine-point deficit to make up to Arsenal and a three-point deficit to make up to Man City, whose far better goal differential should keep them safe in second place for the time being.
If Newcastle succeeds in beating Palace away from home, the Red Devils may slide to fourth by the time that Sunday comes around, but a 16-game scoring run gives reason for hope before a trip to North London.
Man United have not failed to score away from home in the league since being trounced 4-0 by Brentford in August, and just two of their nine away games since then have resulted in a loss. However, they have only kept one clean sheet away from home since October.
Although it has since been reported that VAR erred in disallowing Gabriel Martinelli’s goal for a foul on Eriksen by Odegaard, Man United exposed the weaknesses of a young Arsenal team with a 3-1 victory at Old Trafford in September, and Arteta orchestrated victory over the Red Devils by the same score line at the Emirates last season. This would be the 29th Sunday meeting between them. The Red Devils are looking to compete for just their second leave double over the Gunners since the Great Alex Ferguson retired.
Team News
Casemiro’s nasty scything down of Wilfried Zaha at Selhurst Park earned him his fifth caution of the year and a ban for this pivotal match. The Man United faithful were incensed.
As a result, Fred should go in to join Eriksen in the midfield, while Jadon Sancho, who had been on an individual program, has resumed training but is not expected to be given the starting role just yet.
While Axel Tuanzebe and Donny van de Beek are still sidelined, Diogo Dalot and Anthony Martial’s problems will also need to be evaluated. Jack Butland will be back on the bench after missing the match against his parent club.
Marcus Rashford, who has four goals and four assists from 10 league appearances versus the Gunners, will be forced to the wide position if Martial is not assessed healthy enough to play. Burnley loanee Wout Weghorst will get another chance to start.
Possible Line up
De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Eriksen, Fred, Antony, Fernandes, Rashford, Weghorst
What we predict at Red Devils Home
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United
Even though Ramsdale had to save Arsenal multiple times in the North London derby this season, they have frequently failed to close the back door at the Emirates. Arsenal’s flawless defensive record may still stand in 2023. Our prediction is that Arsenal would strike first, but Man United would eventually find a way back.
