When Arsenal takes on Manchester United at Old Trafford this Sunday, they have the chance to etch their name into Premier League history. If they secure a win, they will become the first team to defeat United in five consecutive league matches, marking a period of dominance over their old rivals.
Despite an increasing number of players on the injury list, the Gunners head into this match with strong odds in their favor. Key forwards—Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz—will be sidelined, requiring Mikel Merino to once again step up as an unorthodox striker. Nevertheless, Arsenal showcased their squad’s depth and attacking flair in their midweek performance, delivering a stunning 7-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
This game also serves as a chance for Arsenal to settle a score from their FA Cup ousting in January, where United persevered with just 10 men and ultimately triumphed in a nail-biting penalty shootout. Yet Arsenal has had the upper hand in league matchups, stringing together four consecutive wins over the Red Devils, which includes a decisive 2-0 win at the Emirates back in December.
Last season, Arsenal managed to eke out a 1-0 win at Old Trafford, thanks to a critical goal from Leandro Trossard in the season’s final stretch. Riding high on their recent European success, Mikel Arteta’s squad aims to continue their streak and solidify their position in the title race.
In the words of former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, Arsenal’s good run seems likely to carry on at Old Trafford, particularly following Martin Ødegaard’s standout performance against PSV. He commented to BetVictor, “Manchester United didn’t impress against Fulham, and although they fared better versus Real Sociedad, it’s uncertain how much that effort drained them. Arsenal was exceptional in Eindhoven, and I can’t see beyond an away victory.”
Not everyone shares this optimism, however. Gary Neville, a legend at United, predicts his former team will rise to the challenge. “These are the matches where United often surprise people,” Neville asserted. “With the crowd’s support, I see it being a 1-1 draw.”
United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, aspires for such an upset as he seeks to instill some stability in a season marked by inconsistent form. Confronting Arsenal on home turf is both a formidable test and a prime chance to make a bold statement.
With Arsenal on the brink of making history and United eager to flip the script, Sunday’s showdown at Old Trafford is shaping up to be an electrifying contest.
