Old foes: Manchester United and Arsenal
Arsenal Football Newsletter
In the afternoon headline slot on Sky Sports, this blockbuster clash between two of England’s biggest clubs should provide plenty of entertainment.
Several new signings are set to make their League debuts for both the home team and their visitors, with Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi all able to make their competitive bows.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Man Utd vs Arsenal team news
Viktor Gyokeres is in line to make his Premier League debut this weekend, with Mikel Arteta facing a big call over whether to throw the Swedish striker straight into the action from the start against his old Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim.
Last season’s No9 Kai Havertz is another option up top and the Arsenal manager has not ruled out the possibility of Havertz and Gyokeres lining up together, with both men scoring in the team’s final pre-season outing last weekend. Gabriel Jesus, however, is still side-lined as he recovers from a knee injury sustained midway through last season.
Elsewhere in attack, Bukayo Saka picks himself on the right wing and Gabriel Martinelli - fresh from a strong performance against Athletic Club - is perhaps the likeliest option on the left. Noni Madueke is still settling in after his summer switch from London rivals Chelsea, and Leandro Trossard is seemingly nearing an exit while he recovers from a groin injury.
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White has featured more heavily in pre-season as Timber dealt with an injury that kept the Dutch defender sidelined until Arsenal’s last two outings, and therefore could get the nod from Arteta to begin the campaign.
Calafiori caught the eye against Athletic Cub last weekend and may be given a chance to cause damage down United’s right flank in the spaces left open by Amorim’s wing-back of choice on that side - which, based on pre-season, looks increasingly likely to be converted winger Amad Diallo.
Patrick Dorgu has seemingly emerged as United’s first-choice left wing-back, meanwhile.
Amorim’s back three on Sunday is likely to be comprised of Leny Yoro on the right and Matthijs de Ligt or Harry Maguire centrally, plus either the other one of that latter duo, Luke Shaw or youngster Ayden Heaven on the left in the continued injury-enforced absence of Lisandro Martinez.
Fellow defender Noussair Mazraoui is also expected to remain out, but returns here are possible for first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana - who missed all of pre-season due to a hamstring issue, with Altay Bayindir deputising - and Joshua Zirkzee.
Rasmus Hojlund looks to be nearing a loan move away from Old Trafford in light of Sesko’s arrival, with the former RB Leipzig man potentially set for his Premier League debut against the Gunners.
Behind him, new No10 options Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo could also feature for the first time in a competitive match for the Red Devils, with Bruno Fernandes likely occupying a playmaking central midfield role alongside one of the more defence-minded Manuel Ugarte or Casemiro. Kobbie Mainoo is another option there, though United are looking to bring in a new midfielder before the transfer window closes.
Mason Mount put in some stand-out performances during pre-season, but may still struggle to dislodge the new arrivals from their attacking midfield slots.
How to watch Man Utd vs Arsenal
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with kick-off set for 4:30pm BST today.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can stream the contest live online via the Sky Sports app and Sky Go, while it is also available with Now TV's sports membership.
Live blog: Or, you can follow all the action on matchday in Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Matt Verri at Old Trafford.
Man Utd vs Arsenal prediction
Both sides have strengthened this summer, particularly in attack with the arrivals of much-needed new striker Gyokeres at Arsenal plus a brand-new front three at United.
On paper that could spell a goal-fest, particularly with the Red Devils still defensively suspect. The Gunners did have the Premier League’s best defensive record last year, though, and haven’t lost any of their backline personnel.
But Amorim will be encouraged by his side eking out a result last time around, and his squad could give Arteta’s men a run for their money.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
United have a slight edge in the illustrious history of this rivalry, and indeed have an unbeaten record in their last two meetings with Arsenal in all competitions - combining a penalty shoot-out victory in the FA Cup last season with a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in May.
The Gunners won four straight against them before that, though, with a combined score-line of 9-3.
All in all, United have won, drawn and lost two each of their last six matches against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Man Utd vs Arsenal match odds