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Arsenal vs Man Utd pre-season friendly preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

By James Cormack

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 19: Arsenal FC players celebrate after a goal during the 2nd half of the MLS All-Star Game between Arsenal FC and MLS All-Stars at Audi Field on July 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 19: Arsenal FC players celebrate after a goal during the 2nd half of the MLS All-Star Game between Arsenal FC and MLS All-Stars at Audi Field on July 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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After swatting aside the MLS All-Stars to kick off their US tour, Arsenal face familiar opposition on Saturday night in the form of Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United. 

Mikel Arteta’s men purred in the week as they put five against MLS’ best with Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice making their non-competitive debuts for the club, while fellow newbie Kai Havertz got himself on the scoresheet to close out the rout.

However, a sterner test is on the horizon as the Gunners face United for the first time on American soil.

Ten Hag’s side have enjoyed a winning start to pre-season, beating Leeds and Lyon without conceding. This is the first outing of their tour, and an intriguing bout awaits.

Arsenal vs Man Utd pre-season friendly preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

Here’s our preview of the Gunners’ pre-season clash against United on Saturday night.

Arsenal face familiar opposition on Saturday night. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal face familiar opposition on Saturday night. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) /

How to watch Arsenal vs Man Utd pre-season friendly on TV

When is kick-off? Saturday 22 July

What time is kick-off? 22:00 (BST) / 17:00 (ET)

Where is it played? MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

TV channel/live stream? arsenal.com, MUTV

Referee? TBC

Arsenal team news

Leandro Trossard will likely be rested after picking up knocks in both of the Gunners’ pre-season outings thus far. Arteta will also be without Reiss Nelson, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Takehiro Tomiyasu due to injuries.

Emile Smith Rowe will be hoping for significant minutes on the East Coast, while new signings Rice, Timber and Havertz are all in contention.

Man Utd team news

United seem to be a little further behind Arsenal in the pre-season preparations, with most of Ten Hag’s internationals only training for a week before they jetted off to the States.

As a result, the majority of United’s regular starters will only be fit enough to play 45 minutes against the Gunners. Nevertheless, new arrival Mason Mount is expected to start, while Andre Onana could make his debut for the club.

Arsenal vs Man Utd predicted lineups

Arsenal: Ramsdale; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Rice, Havertz, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.

Man Utd: Kovar; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Fernandez; Mainoo; Mount; Antony, Van de Beek, Amad; Sancho

Arsenal’s recent form

MLS All-Stars 0-5 Arsenal (20/07) – Friendly

FC Nurnberg 1-1 Arsenal (13/07) – Friendly

Man Utd’s recent form

Man Utd 1-0 Lyon (19/07) – Friendly

Man Utd 2-0 Leeds (12/07) – Friendly

Prediction

While both teams have played twice in pre-season, the north London club appear a hint more prepared for this contest than United. The Gunners have close to a full squad available for this contest, while Ten Hag will be forced to be more cautious about his team selection.

While Arteta could deploy close to a full-strength side for much of the contest, his opposite number won’t have that luxury and we’re bound to see a bunch of United youngsters earn a chance to impress in New Jersey.

As a result, the Gunners, who purred in the week, are favourites to come out on top in this one.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd