Arsenal play hosts at the Emirates, welcoming a galvanised Manchester United side. Ruben Amorim faces an early big test.
Arsenal have responded strongly since the international break, ending with three wins on the bounce and showcasing their fluidity in the attack ahead of the visit of Manchester United on Wednesday. The Gunners have scored 13 goals in those three wins, as victories over Nottingham Forest, Sporting CP, and West Ham United have galvanised Mikel Arteta’s unit.
The hosts are set for a fairly easier run than they have had since the new campaign began, as Arteta will now want a full charge towards catching Liverpool, who are nine points clear after Sunday. Arsenal have showcased they are a formidable unit when most of their players are available, with the West Ham display probably their best of the three wins in the past week or so.
Bukayo Saka was the star again at the London Stadium, providing two assists and scoring a penalty in addition to winning another spot-kick. Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard, and Kai Havertz were also on target. Arsenal moved into second spot as they prepare for Manchester United at the Emirates, having been unbeaten against the Red Devils since their defeat in 2022.
Manchester United fans are hoping this is a new dawn under their latest man in the dugout, Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese manager will take charge of only his fourth game as Erik ten Hag’s successor and will certainly hope to pass the big test at the Emirates on the horizon.
After starting his tenure with a tame 1-1 draw away at Ipswich Town, Manchester United fought back to win against Bodo/Glimt at home in the Europa League and followed up with a stunning 4-0 win over Everton at the weekend. Some may argue those two teams are not the markers to hype upon, but those victories surely provide some much-needed momentum to the team.
Heading to the Emirates, Manchester United have not beaten Arsenal in their last six attempts at this venue, and Amorim hopes to change that. However, this will be a tough challenge for the Portuguese boss as he takes on his first big test since being appointed to the Old Trafford dugout.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta continues to sweat on fitness issues with a number of his key players. Midfielder Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino were ruled out late before the West Ham United clash, with muscle and knee problems, respectively, as the Arsenal manager will be hoping to have at least one of them back against Manchester United.
There are also concerns with Gabriel; after the manager insisted, he might still be suffering from a muscle problem, although he’s expected to start. Partey’s problem is not considered serious enough, as there is hope the Ghanaian midfielder will start against Manchester United.
As for Merino, knee issues are always tricky, so much will depend on late assessments to figure out his chances of participation. There were some scares with Riccardo Calafiori coming off early in the second half at the weekend, but the Italian is expected to start in the left-back role once more for Arsenal against Manchester United.
If Partey and Merino are deemed unfit, it could mean another start for Jorginho, who was impressive at the weekend. However, Arteta should be concerned about doubts about his extensive usage. Meanwhile, the manager completely rested Gabriel Martinelli, meaning he should be in line to start on the left wing against Manchester United.
Bukayo Saka has been in scintillating form alongside attacking colleague Martin Odegaard, and the duo are expected to marshall the right side of the final third. Kai Havertz remains the preferred choice to lead the line for Arsenal against Manchester United, while Declan Rice will marshall the other midfield area on the left.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Manchester United
Ruben Amorim will be forced to make a few key changes to his lineup following that stellar victory over Everton. Those changes are due to the one-game suspensions for defender Lisandro Martinez and midfielder Kobbie Mainoo following their yellow cards against the Toffees.
On the injury front, there were concerns following Bruno Fernandes’s withdrawal and the ice pack around his ankle. Amorim has since affirmed that the problem is nothing serious and that he expects the Manchester United captain to feature against Arsenal.
The absence of Martinez will see Amorim use Harry Maguire for the first time after the centre-back returned to full fitness. Leny Yoro and Victor Lindelof are unlikely to stay fit. Still, Tyrell Malacia could potentially start unless Amorim decides to go with a more conservative option of using Diogo Dalot in the left wing-back role. Noussair Mazraoui is expected to form a part of the right side of the back three.
In the attack, the weekend’s showing ensured there were a few sure-shot selections in the attacking setup, including Amad Diallo at right wing-back. Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee also staked a claim to the attacking spots after a brace each against Everton. At the same time, Amorim could likely use Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro in his midfield setup.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire; Diallo, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dalot; Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee
Key Stats
Arsenal are undefeated in 28 of their last 31 matches in the Premier League.
Arsenal have won six of their last seven home matches against Manchester United in all competitions.
Arsenal are unbeaten against Manchester United at home in their last six Premier League meetings.
Manchester United are unbeaten under Ruben Amorim in all competitions.
Manchester United have not won at the Emirates since their 1-3 FA Cup win in January 2019.
Player to Watch
Bukayo Saka
Embed from Getty Images
The Arsenal star has been in scintillating form in the last three games in all competitions. Saka has three goals and four assists in those games and has been the best player on the pitch, barring none, as he prepares to take on another big opposition in Manchester United.
The pressure is truly on Arsenal to catch up to Liverpool, although that has not affected their performances on the pitch, as Saka, among other stars, has played with a handbrake off. Hence, one can expect another top display from the right winger against the Red Devils, and he will be the man in focus and of concern to the opposition.
Prediction
Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United
Manchester United’s 4-0 win over Everton will have galvanised the group and, to some extent, freed their minds about attacking the way Ruben Amorim wants. However, they will face a far more stringent defensive setup than the Toffees when they visit the Emirates, and that could have a big say, as they will not enjoy the superiority in possession as they did at the weekend.
Arsenal are in a better vein of form compared to their visitors, as Mikel Arteta’s men are scoring freely, and defending astutely. With all of their stars firing on all cylinders and goals being shared, the Gunners are expected to sweep Manchester United aside at home and keep the pressure on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League standings.