Arsenal vs. Manchester United: Arsenal play host to Manchester united on Wednesday evening in the first of what will be a famous fixture across domestic competition this season, with a date already set for the two to clash in the Emirates FA Cup, while meeting is also a possibility in the Carabao Cup.
Arsenal and United will clash for the 231st time in history, only second most played fixture in English football history, behind Everton – Aston Villa.
It is a mouthwatering encounter given the history between the two clubs, who have both stood out as the most consistent teams in the topflight and have 13 or more league titles each.
Ahead of the upcoming games, both teams are slowly discovering top form again, Arsenal after overcoming their injury crisis and Manchester United in the wake of the departure of Erik Ten Hag, who led the club into a questionable position before being relieved of his duties.
However, host, Arsenal will be the overwhelming favorite in the Emirates stadium given the stage of their project compared to their counterpart, who are just starting out another rebuild process under the watch of a new manager.
Mikel Arteta’s charge have also dominated this fixture in recent times, while Manchester United have frustratingly bow into submission in a fixture they had dominated in previous decades, a dominant that sees them maintain superiority in their head to head.
Form Guide – Arsenal vs. Manchester United
- Arsenal has won each of their last three games, scoring 13 goals in the process.
- Manchester United are unbeaten since parting company with Erik Ten Hag, winning five of seven games, including two in three under Erik Ten Hag.
- Arsenal are unbeaten in nine home games this season, winning seven.
- Manchester United are winless in their last six away games across all competitions, losing one.
- Arsenal has scored in all of their home games season, while Manchester United has failed to score in two of their games on the road so far.
- Manchester United has one win in eight away games this season – a 3-0 win against newly promoted Southampton in September.
Head to Head – Arsenal vs. Manchester United
- Arsenal has won each of their last three meetings with Manchester United, two of which have come in today’s venue, the Emirates.
- Manchester United has lost each of their last three games against Arsenal, they’ve not lost four straight in this fixture since November 1997 to September 1998.
- Arsenal has won seven and lost one in their last nine Premier League home games against Manchester United.
- Manchester United has scored in each of their last three visits to the Emirates stadium.
Players to Watch
Arsenal – Bukayo Saka
The 23-year-old is having a remarkable having taken his consistency to another level. He started the season by matching the record for most Premier League assists to the start of the season.
Despite the injuries that has affected himself and his teammates, he has still become the first player to reach double figure of assists in top five leagues this season.
Saka is on a streak at the moment having scored and assist in each of his last three games across all competitions. The return of Martin Odegaard has also helped his game and the overall team performance at Arsenal.
The England international has also been directly involved in five goals in nine games against United, four of which have come in his last five appearances. Saka is one to watch in the Emirates tonight.
Manchester United – Marcus Rashford
The Mancunian has fun memories of this fixture, which started with a brace on his Premier League debut as an 18-year-old in 2016. He has since went on to score four more goals and as many assists in 16 more games against The Gooners.
Rashford has recently began to hit the numbers against Arsenal, with five goal contributions in his last three games against them.
This season, he is slowly rediscovering top form since Erik Ten Hag left. He has scored three goals in two starts under Ruben Amorim and will surely be the star of the attack tonight, given his reputation in this fixture.
Suspensions and Injuries update
Arsenal have no suspended player for tonight, albeit they will have to do without Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu, who have both been sidelined until the turn of the year.
Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino missed the win at West Ham during the weekend while Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori were both subbed of as precautions. All are expected to return to the squad tonight barring any late surprises.
Manchester United will be without Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez, who are both suspended due to accumulation of bookings. Luke Shaw has recently confirmed a new injury while Victor Lindelof remains on the sideline.
Positive news is the return of Leny Yoro to the squad after five months on the sideline.
Hassan Afolabi
