Manchester United vs Arsenal Preview

• Arsenal to win
• Trossard to score

Once one of the Premier League’s fiercest rivalries, Manchester United and Arsenal now find themselves on vastly different trajectories.

The Red Devils trail the Gunners by a staggering 21 points as they prepare for this latest showdown at Old Trafford.

While United will be battling fatigue after their 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League, Arsenal arrive in confident mood following their historic 7-1 demolition of PSV in the Champions League.

Will Manchester United claim a much-needed victory, or can Arsenal continue their dominance in this fixture? Here’s an in-depth look at the key factors ahead of this crucial clash.

Manchester United Struggling for Consistency

Manchester United’s turbulent season has left them far adrift of the Premier League’s elite, and their inconsistency continues to haunt them.

Despite securing a 1-0 victory in their last league outing, the Red Devils have yet to string together back-to-back Premier League wins this season – a statistic that underlines their struggles under Ruben Amorim.

Fatigue could be a major issue, with United playing a demanding UEFA Europa League fixture against Real Sociedad on Thursday, resulting in a 1-1 draw. With the return leg looming large, there’s a risk that their focus may be split between their domestic and European commitments.

Adding to their concerns is their dismal record against Arsenal in recent years. United have lost each of their last four Premier League encounters with the Gunners, marking their longest-ever losing streak in this fixture.

Their FA Cup victory over Arsenal in January was a rare bright spot, but replicating that success in the league will be difficult, especially considering their poor home form.

The Red Devils have won just two of their last seven Premier League matches at Old Trafford (L5), a worrying trend for a club that once prided itself on turning its stadium into a fortress.

Arsenal Chasing Rare Back-to-Back Wins at Old Trafford

Arsenal’s dominance over Manchester United in recent seasons has been one of the standout shifts in Premier League dynamics.

The Gunners secured a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford last season, and another win here would mark the first time they have claimed consecutive league victories at this ground since February 1979.

However, there are some concerns surrounding Arsenal’s recent domestic form. They have failed to score in their last two Premier League games (D1, L1), raising questions about their attacking sharpness.

That said, their incredible 7-1 thrashing of PSV in the Champions League this week showed that they are more than capable of putting teams to the sword when in full flow.

This match will also be a milestone for Mikel Arteta, who takes charge of his 200th Premier League game. With 118 wins already under his belt, he ranks among the most successful managers at this stage of their careers, and his record against Manchester United is particularly impressive.

The Spaniard has won seven of his ten meetings with the Red Devils (D1, L2), boasting a 70% win rate – the best of any manager to have faced United at least five times in Premier League history.

Head-to-Head Record: Arsenal’s Growing Dominance

The balance of power in this historic fixture has shifted in recent years, with Arsenal asserting their superiority. Their four consecutive league wins over Manchester United mark their longest winning streak in the rivalry.

United’s home advantage hasn’t been as impactful as in previous years, with the Red Devils winning just twice in their last seven home league matches.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s success at Old Trafford last season was their first in the league since 2006, and another victory would be a major statement as they continue their push for the title.

Acteurs clés à surveiller

Joshua Zirkzee (Manchester United)

With United’s attacking options depleted, Joshua Zirkzee has enjoyed a run of starts, and he continues to make an impact.

He found the net against Real Sociedad in midweek and also scored the decisive penalty in United’s FA Cup victory over Arsenal earlier this year. If the Red Devils are to stand a chance, they will need Zirkzee to be clinical in front of goal once again.

Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)

One of six different Arsenal players to score in the 7-1 rout of PSV, Trossard will be looking to continue his fine form.

He has the opportunity to join an exclusive club by becoming just the third Arsenal player to score at Old Trafford in successive Premier League seasons. Given United’s defensive frailties, the Belgian could prove to be a key attacking threat.

Prediction: Can Arsenal Continue Their Dominance?

Manchester United’s recent struggles, coupled with Arsenal’s strong head-to-head record, suggest the visitors are favourites heading into this encounter.

While United have shown resilience in cup competitions, their inconsistency in the Premier League makes it difficult to back them against a well-drilled Arsenal side.

The Gunners’ recent struggles in front of goal in the league are a slight concern, but their Champions League demolition of PSV suggests they have rediscovered their attacking sharpness at the perfect time.

With a milestone match for Arteta and a chance to make history at Old Trafford, Arsenal will be highly motivated to secure another crucial victory.

Predicted Score: Manchester United 1-2 Arsenal 

Expect Arsenal to continue their impressive record against United, while the Red Devils’ struggles at Old Trafford could prove costly once again.

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Man Utd v Arsenal, 2024/25 | Premier League