Manchester United v Arsenal

In years gone by, this fixture was mouth-watering. A total of 16 Premier League titles have been won between these two sides post 1992. But, in more recent times, neither side has really lived up to their previous success. Although Arsenal are beginning to show similar form to the side that went unbeaten in their invincible season. After winning all 5 of their fixtures so far, it’s the kind of form that put’s your name in the hat for another league title – and rightly so.

As for Manchester United, 3 wins on the bounce has lifted the club from rock bottom after GW2 to 5^th place – beginning to show form since dropping club captain Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo. Big calls from Erik Ten Haag, but 9 points in the last three games has kept the critics quiet. 

This fixture will be the toughest yet for both sides, Arsenal with their 100% record hasn’t yet been tested by a top 6 side, although once again showing their resilience and determination to pick up all three points after being pegged by back Aston Villa midweek only for Martinelli to score the winner 3 minutes later. 

Arsenal’s record at the Theatre of Dreams, is questionable. Winning only once in their previous 15 attempts at Old Trafford. Therefore, any result on Sunday will give a great indication of how successful Arsenal really can be.

Jadon Sancho finally looks to be the £76.5m player that Manchester United bought from Borussia Dortmund back in July 2021. The English winner scored the opener in United’s 2-1 win over Liverpool and scored the only goal in their midweek 1-0 victory at Leicester. If, (and it’s a big if) Ten Haag’s men can get a victory on Sunday it will really show the intent United have this season. They seemed to be written off after the opening two games (back-to-back losses) but with the addition of Casemiro to their ranks and the redefined Marcus Rashford, things look to be brightening up in the red side of Manchester.

The 4-2-3-1 is a formation that is preferred by both sides, with United looking solid in possession and once Casemiro gets match fit, he will look to replace Scott McTominay in that double pivot role. The main talking point in this formation for Arsenal is their forward four who have scored 9 goals between them already and with a 2.15 xG going into this fixture, I back them to continue their goalscoring run. 

This will be a fascinating game with both teams in form. United have only failed to score once this season with Arsenal failing to keep clean sheets in 3 of their 5 openers. I expect an end-to-end game here with the visitors trying to dominate possession. There must be goals in this one!