Arsenal vs Manchester United Preview: Where to watch, team news, predictions
Arsenal vs Manchester United kick off at 16:30 on Sunday, 3rd September, as two potential title challengers clash.
Arsenal
Arsenal must dust themselves off after a home 2-2 draw with Fulham during the third weekend of the Premier League season.
Mikel Arteta’s side were a goal behind early in the game, thanks to a great finish by Andreas Pereira. The Gunners didn’t strike back until the 70th minute through a Bukayo Saka penalty, swiftly followed by a second goal from Eddie Nketiah.
Despite Fulham being reduced to ten men due to a Calvin Bassey red card, Arsenal were still pegged back with a late goal from midfielder Joao Palhinha, which saw the Cottagers steal a point.
Arsenal will be looking to get back to winning ways at the Emirates stadium this weekend. They had the positive of Gabriel Jesus returning off the bench last week, suggesting he may be fully fit to start against Man United.
Along with this, Nketiah suffered a knee injury at Craven Cottage but all signs point to the striker being fit for Sunday’s game.
Arteta’s side will still be without summer signing Jurien Timber, after an ACL injury on the opening weekend of the season.
The Spaniard’s side has been far from their best at the start of the new season. This leaves some fans questioning starting lineups.
Gabriel Magalhaes, who was a key player last season, is yet to start a game. He is also being linked with a move away from the club.
Kai Havertz has had a difficult start to life at Arsenal with a portion of the Gunners fanbase disappointed with his performances.
So, it will be interesting to see how Arteta chooses to lineup for Sunday’s game. Will he choose to stick or twist?
Predicted Lineup XI:
Ramsdale; Partey, White, Saliba, Kiwior; Rice, Odegaard, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Manchester United
Manchester United bounced back from their 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the second game week, with an enthralling 3-2 comeback win against Nottingham Forest.
After going two goals down via Taiwo Awoniyi and Willy Boly after 5 minutes, the Red Devils were left with a mountain to climb.
Christian Eriksen pulled a goal back in the 17th minute and Casemiro levelled the scoring in the 52nd. After a 67th-minute red card to Joe Worrall, Man United were left with the man advantage.
Marcus Rashford was subsequently earned a penalty after being brought down in the box, which Bruno Fernandes calmly slotted fired home to secure the 3 points for the North-West club.
Despite their slow start, the home side were positive and resilient throughout their performance to overcome the two-goal deficit.
But Erik Ten Hag’s injury list continues to grow. Kobbie Mainoo; Mason Mount, Tyrell Malacia, Amad Diallo, Tom Heaton, Raphael Varane, and Luke Shaw have all been ruled out with injuries.
Summer signing Rasmus Hojlund is yet to make his debut, and his fitness levels are unknown.
This leaves the Dutchman’s side with large holes in it. The lack of out-and-out strikers and left-backs being the key issues.
This leaves questions as to how Ten Hag will choose to set up his side on Sunday. Will he choose to stick with Diogo Dalot on the left side? Or, will he opt for academy graduate Alvaro Fernandez? With rumoured interest in signing a left-back, we may see a whole new face before the game against Arsenal.
Thus, Man United’s progress seems to be one step forward and one step back. Despite better performances on the pitch, injuries have hampered their squad depth, leaving Ten Hag with fewer options to choose from for the upcoming test.
Predicted XI:
Onana; Dalot, Lindelöf, Martinez, Wan-Bissaka; Eriksen, Casemiro, Fernandes; Anthony, Hojlund, Rashford
A turning point for both clubs?
Arsenal are going into this game looking to solidify themselves as a top challenger in the league once more, for the rest of the season.
Arteta will want a more complete performance after last week’s disappointing result, setting their season back on track.
Whereas Manchester United need to build on the momentum gained against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
After a shaky start to the season, a win against Arsenal could propel them forward and continue a positive trend.
Arsenal vs Manchester United is likely to be a thrilling affair. Can Arsenal pounce on the Red Devils’ injury woes? Or will Manchester United prove their competitiveness once again at the Emirates?
Score Prediction:
Arsenal 3-2 Manchester United
Where to watch:
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