Manchester United vs Arsenal
The headline act of the opening weekend of the new Premier League season is upon us as Ruben Amorim’s much-maligned side host Mikel Arteta’s perennial bridesmaids in a clash steeped in history. Both English giants will be desperate to make a positive start to the new campaign after another summer of heavy spending, in what will be a heated atmosphere at Old Trafford.
Amorim’s new £200million-plus forward line will be on show this afternoon as Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha are all expected to make their debuts, and will need to get off to a fast start against a Gunners side who have hugely strengthened this summer, with standout signings such as Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi. Debuts aplenty expected.
Arteta begins the season knowing he has no excuses as yet another season of progress but ultimately failure. A trophy drought now stretches to beyond five years and today, he will hope, is the first step to a first title in 22 years. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Simon Collings and Matt Verri at Old Trafford.
Good afternoon and welcome to the London Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Premier League clash between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford.
It’s the headline act of the opening weekend as two old foes of the English game face off. They could scarcely have enjoyed/endured more opposing seasons last term, but begin today with carte blanche - and with a plethora of new talent.