First real yardstick for leaders Arsenal
While the Champions League contenders in Europe’s top leagues are primarily already in action on Saturday, we can still look forward to an absolute top match between two of the world’s most prestigious football clubs in the English Premier League. From 17:30, Old Trafford will be the venue for the match between Manchester United and Arsenal. According to the odds, we can also expect a duel of equals, without clear favourites.
The fact that Erik ten Hag’s side are now considered equal opponents against the Gunners, despite their false start with two defeats on the first two matchdays, is thanks to their recent performances. Thanks to three narrow victories, the Red Devils have fought their way out of the deep valley and are now looking to continue the upward trend on the one hand and close the gap on their upcoming opponents in the standings on the other.
This is currently six points, by the way, because the Londoners are actually the only Premier League team that still has the maximum yield of 15 points after five matchdays. Nevertheless, with regard to the Manchester United vs. Arsenal prediction on the outcome of the match, it should be borne in mind that the capital club has only managed to win one of the past 15 guest appearances in the “Theatre of Dreams”. The task will not be any easier this weekend, as the hosts could see two top-class newcomers, Antony and Casemiro, make their debut in the starting eleven.
Manchester United – Statistics & current form
After the first two matchdays, Manchester United had to fear the worst. In the first two competitive games under new coach Erik ten Hag, the English record champions failed to get going at all and disgraced themselves at home against Brighton (1:2) and then in the 0:4 defeat at Brentford, when all goals were conceded in the first 45 minutes.
As disastrous as the start to the Dutch coach’s era was, the reaction was even more impressive in the subsequent clash against arch-rivals Liverpool, which they deservedly won 2-1. With the Red Devils also picking up trebles at Southampton and Leicester, they now return to Old Trafford with a broad chest and plenty of confidence to challenge the league leaders on Sunday afternoon.
Man Utd look to end Sunday curse
Purely statistically, an extremely challenging task awaits the hosts. Firstly, because United have lost the last three consecutive Premier League matches played on Sundays for the first time in the club’s history. Secondly, because the 20-time English title holders have only won one of their last eight league encounters against their north London opponents.
These figures, which are primarily based on the past, are only half the truth, however, because it must also be said that ten Hag’s team has recently performed like a real top team. In their last home match to date, MUFC delivered perhaps their best performance in many months against LFC. In the aforementioned guest games at the Saints and the Foxes, it was the extremely stable defence that was not only convincing, but also celebrated itself time and again for successful tackles and blocks.
Erik ten Hag is spoilt for choice in terms of personnel
If this mentality is instilled in the players’ minds and the coach continues to shine as an empathetic facilitator of the star ensemble, United naturally have enough individual quality to have a serious say in a place in the top four. At the very least, however, to try and take a (hedged) bet on a home win in the top match Manchester United vs Arsenal.
Martial, Pellistri and Williams are definitely out. Shaw and Wan-Bissaka are question marks, although Malacia and Dalot should be settled in the full-back positions after their recent performances. Casemiro could make his debut in the starting eleven as a wild card, while new signing Antony will probably be on the bench for the time being after almost three weeks without a game. And then there is a certain Cristiano Ronaldo who, despite many rumours, is still on the payroll and may even be a candidate for the first eleven. In his last eight matches against the Gunners, CR7 has scored seven goals.
Predicted Manchester United line-up:
De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, Eriksen; Sancho, Fernandes, Ronaldo; Rashford
Last matches played by Manchester United:
Premier League
02/09/2022 – Leicester 0 – 1 Manchester United
27/08/2022 – Southampton 0 – 1 Manchester United
23/08/2022 – Manchester United 2 – 1 Liverpool FC
13/08/2022 – Brentford 4 – 0 Manchester United
07/08/2022 – Manchester United 1 – 2 Brighton
Arsenal – Statistics & current form
Arsenal Football Club are still the measure of all things in the highest English division. Five games, five wins and 13:4 goals is the current record, which lets the Arteta team sit at the top of the table. After Newcastle, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool, the Gunners could become only the fifth team in Premier League history to win all of their first six league games.
Apart from that, there are also various club records to be broken. For example, the Londoners have not started a PL season with three away wins since 2013/14. In fact, only once did the capital club remain without conceding a goal after three away games in a new season.
Both records could now be equalled, because after the 2-0 at Crystal Palace and the 3-0 at Bournemouth, the third three in a row now beckons, including a clean sheet. However, if we look at the odds between Manchester United and Arsenal, we tend not to expect a commanding success for the league leader.
Does the programme so far spoil the Gunners’ start?
There are, however, statistics that supporters of the former title holders had better listen away from. Arsenal, among others, have not conceded as many defeats to any other opponent in the Premier League as they have at MUFC. Only one of the past 15 matches at Old Trafford has been won at league level. After an intense English week, in which the Arteta eleven has so far celebrated two narrow 2-1 victories against Fulham and Aston Villa, we would be very cautious in predicting the visitors’ treble between Manchester United and Arsenal.
So far, the Gunners have not faced any big names, which is why the encounter in the Theatre of Dreams should be seen as the first real yardstick. And because the Spanish coach is still relying on a young team that is subject to certain fluctuations, Pep Guardiola’s former assistant would certainly not be unhappy if a point were to come his way on Sunday. This assumption is also the reason why we would take the “draw-no-bet” as a hedge in case of a bet on the home side.
In terms of absences, there are also a few bad news to report. The most serious is probably the absence of Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is struggling with a slight knee injury. Captain Odegaard also had to be substituted during the week, although according to the latest reports, he is not expected to play. Elneny, Partey and Nelson are definitely out.
Predicted Arsenal line-up:
Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Xhaka, Lokonga; Saka, Smith Rowe, Martinelli; Jesus
Last matches played by Arsenal:
Premier League
01/09/2022 – Arsenal FC 2 – 1 Aston Villa
27/08/2022 – Arsenal FC 2 – 1 Fulham
20/08/2022 – Bournemouth 0 – 3 Arsenal FC
13/08/2022 – Arsenal FC 4 – 2 Leicester
06/08/2022 – Crystal Palace 0 – 2 Arsenal FC
Manchester United – Arsenal Direct Comparison / H2H Record
For the 187th time, the two traditional clubs get to face each other in the highest English division. With 76 wins compared to 64 defeats and 46 draws, Manchester United leads the record. The Gunners have always had a particularly hard time at Old Trafford. Only 15 victories in 93 guest appearances at United underline this impressively.
This trend has continued in recent years, with the north Londoners winning only one of the last 15 PL duels at MUFC. Instead, they have suffered nine defeats. The Red Devils also prevailed 3-2 at home in the previous season. However, it was the only win for the English record holders in their eight most recent meetings in the domestic top flight.
Manchester United – Arsenal Tip
It is with great anticipation that we look to Manchester on Sunday afternoon. There, it comes to a match between two of the in-form teams in the Premier League. The Gunners have won all five of their league games so far, while United have also won three in a row after a poor start. Who now has the longer breath in the eagerly awaited top match?
Given the Manchester United vs. Arsenal betting odds, many things point to an even match. However, we suspect that the Red Devils have a slight advantage and justify this with the fact that ten Hag’s team has made a very good and, above all, stable impression recently. If they can produce a performance similar to the 2-1 home win against Liverpool, we think they can win the next three points and take another step back to their old strength.
Although the opponents from the capital have started extremely promisingly, it must also be mentioned that the North Londoners have not yet faced the really big opponents. Consequently, we refrain from betting in favour of the Gunners and trust the new mentality of the hosts.
We bet on a home victory between Manchester United and Arsenal.
