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Arsenal vs Man Utd preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

By James Cormack

Arsenal's English midfielder Bukayo Saka (L) vies with Manchester United's Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen (R) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 22, 2023. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's English midfielder Bukayo Saka (L) vies with Manchester United's Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen (R) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 22, 2023. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Two familiar foes do battle once again on Sunday as Arsenal play host to Manchester United at the Emirates. 

The growing prominence of social media has reignited this once-significant rivalry between two of England’s most successful clubs, with both sets of supporters desperate to claim online bragging rights.

Neither side has convinced at the start of 2023/24, although both have won two of their opening three games. Arsenal, however, were held by ten-man Fulham last weekend, while United were swatted aside by Tottenham on Matchday 2 and were forced to come from 2-0 down early on to beat Nottingham Forest last time out.

The spoils were shared last season as both the Gunners and Red Devils won one match-up each, and while this contest arrives very early on in the campaign, Sunday’s result could prove significant ahead of the September international break.

Arsenal vs Man Utd preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

Here’s our preview of Sunday’s Premier League clash.

Mikel Arteta and Erik ten Hag face off for a third time in their careers on Sunday. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta and Erik ten Hag face off for a third time in their careers on Sunday. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) /

How to watch Arsenal vs Man Utd on TV

When is kick-off? Sunday 3 September

What time is kick-off? 16:30 (BST)

Where is it played? Emirates Stadium

TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Ultra HD, Sky Sports Premier League (UK) / Peacock, NBC, Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (US) / fuboTV (Canada)

Referee? Anthony Taylor

Arsenal team news

There are no fresh injury concerns for Arteta, who could make several changes to his starting XI on Sunday.

In defence, Gabriel and Oleksandr Zinchenko will surely return to the fold with Ben White drifting out to right-back. Fabio Vieira performed well off the bench against Fulham, but the boss could opt for the added security of Declan Rice and Thomas Partey in midfield.

Eddie Nketiah deserves to start up top after scoring again last weekend.

Man Utd team news

Ten Hag has a heap of injuries to contend with for this game, with Raphael Varane being added to the injury list in the week. The Frenchman is set to be out for an extended period and has joined the likes of Luke Shaw and Mason Mount on the sidelines.

Summer arrival Rasmus Hojlund is not yet ready to suit up for the Red Devils.

With Shaw out, Diogo Dalot is expected to deputise at left-back again. Christian Eriksen could also retain his place in midfield, while Victor Lindelof will be expected to replace Varane.

Arsenal vs Man Utd predicted lineups

Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli.

Man Utd: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Martinez, Dalot; Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes; Antony, Sancho, Rashford.

Arsenal’s recent form

Arsenal 2-2 Fulham (26/08) – Premier League

Crystal Palace 0-1 Arsenal (21/08) – Premier League

Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest (12/08) – Premier League

Arsenal 1-1 (5-4p) Man City (06/08) – Community Shield

Arsenal 1-1 AS Monaco – (02/08) – Emirates Cup

Man Utd’s recent form

Man Utd 3-2 Nottingham Forest (26/08) – Premier League

Tottenham 2-0 Man Utd (19/08) – Premier League

Man Utd 1-0 Wolves (14/08) – Premier League

Man Utd 1-1 Athletic Club (06/08) – Friendly

Man Utd 3-1 Lens (05/08) – Friendly

Prediction

United will be without several key players on Sunday, and that surely tilts the contest in Arsenal’s favour.

While the Gunners perhaps haven’t purred as some may have expected so far this season, Arteta is predicted to return to the on-pitch dynamics that brought about so much success in 2022/23. I’m expecting the hosts to be emboldened by the switch, although they could face up against a United side that merely seeks to contain the Gunners.

Ten Hag will be happy to cede control and territory on Sunday in a bid to hit Arteta’s side on the counter. They did so to tremendous effect at Old Trafford last October. Thus, it could be a cagey affair with Arsenal attempting to break down a low block for long periods. However, I think the pressure will eventually tell and the hosts will squeeze out a victory on home soil.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Man Utd