Preview: Arsenal vs Manchester United – stats, team news, line-ups
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The Emirates Stadium forms the backdrop for Wednesday night’s blockbuster fixture as Arsenal renews hostilities with Manchester United in one of the Premier League’s oldest rivalries.
The Red Devils will face the biggest threat to their unbeaten start to life under the leadership of highly rated manager Ruben Amorim but will fancy their chances of denting the Gunners’ recent form.
Both sides head into this epic showdown on the back of big wins in gameweek 13, with Arsenal thrashing West Ham United 5-2 in a one-sided London derby before United smashed a hapless Everton 4-0 at Old Trafford.
Despite the massive gap in points and places between these two sides, Wednesday’s clash could go either way, so expect matchday tickets to sell out fast on Seatsnet.com – the best secondary marketplace around.
Match Preview
Arsenal produced a five-star performance in Saturday’s London derby against West Ham, racing to a 4-0 lead within 36 minutes against the Hammers at the London Stadium.
Reminiscent of last season’s 6-0 demolition at the same venue, Mikel Arteta’s side seemed poised for another record-breaking triumph.
However, a spirited response from West Ham’s full-backs, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson Palmieri, sparked hopes of the most extraordinary comeback.
However, the Gunners swiftly extinguished those hopes as Bukayo Saka’s penalty capped a thrilling first half that ended 5-2, matching a Premier League record for most goals in a single half.
A quieter second half followed as the Gunners saw off their capital rivals to claim their third consecutive win across all competitions – all of which have come by a three-goal margin or more.
Now sitting second in the Premier League table, Arsenal are the closest challengers to runaway leaders Liverpool, even though they’re only ahead of Chelsea on alphabetical order.
Their post-international break form has been exceptional, with Arteta’s squad looking revitalised since November.
Wednesday’s fixture will be a landmark for Arsenal, with the Emirates gearing up to host its 500th competitive club game.
The Gunners have been imperious at the Emirates. They’re one of only three teams yet to suffer defeat on home turf, alongside Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion.
They’ve won six of their last seven home games (D1) and are on a staggering 12-game scoring streak across all competitions, which should send alarm bells ringing in the United dressing room.
United’s resurgence under newly-appointed manager Amorim has captured attention, with the Portuguese tactician orchestrating a revival of form for both the team and its previously struggling strikers.
Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee stole the spotlight in Sunday’s emphatic 4-0 win over Everton, each netting a brace to secure United’s fourth consecutive home victory across all competitions.
The victory not only extended United’s impressive streak at Old Trafford – where Amorim’s tenure began with a 3-2 Europa League triumph over Bodo/Glimt – but also lifted them to ninth place in the Premier League. With eight points collected from their last four league fixtures, United are now just four points shy of Brighton & Hove Albion in the coveted Champions League places.
However, the Red Devils’ away record is a major cause for concern ahead of the trip to Arsenal’s fortress.
A 1-1 draw with relegation-battling Ipswich Town in Amorim’s debut highlighted their struggles on the road and extended their winless streak in away matches to six games (D5, L1).
Their only away victory this season came against Southampton.
As United prepare for a daunting clash with an in-form Arsenal, their recent head-to-head history against the Gunners offers little solace.
United have lost their last three league meetings with Arsenal and have not celebrated a win at the Emirates since a 3-1 FA Cup triumph in January 2019.
Key Stats
Arsenal are on the brink of making history as they prepare to face United in the Premier League on Wednesday, aiming for an unprecedented fourth consecutive league victory over their old rivals.
The Gunners have won their last three league encounters with United, but a fourth win would mark a first in their league history.
Arsenal have a solid home record ahead of what will be their 500th competitive fixture at the Emirates (W355, D93, L71).
In that span, the Gunners have won 10 of their 20 home meetings against United (D4, L6) – only Manchester City (9) and Chelsea (7) have inflicted more defeats on Arsenal at the ground.
Arsenal have been prolific against United in recent home matches, winning 3-1, 3-2, and 3-1 in their last three league encounters.
If they score three or more goals again, it will evoke memories of their dominant run between 1970 and 1978, when they achieved the feat seven consecutive times against the Red Devils.
Under Arteta’s guidance, Arsenal have thrived in this fixture.
The Spaniard has won six of his nine Premier League matches against United (D1, L2), boasting a 67% win rate – the highest among managers who have faced the Red Devils at least five times.
The capital hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for United in recent times.
They’ve won just two of their last 18 Premier League away games in London (D5, L11), both victories coming against Fulham.
The Red Devils had been unbeaten in 13 visits to the capital before this (W8, D5).
Additionally, United have lost seven of their last nine league visits to Arsenal (W1, D1), including the previous three in a row.
However, their run of form in midweek will boost Amorim’s hopes of putting another massive dent in Arsenal’s Premier League title charge on Wednesday.
United have won six of their last seven midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Premier League games (L1), with these games producing 38 goals in total (F23, A15).
Team News
Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are guaranteed absentees from Arteta’s squad for the United clash, while Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino are also doubtful after missing the win over West Ham.
Defensive lynchpin Gabriel Magalhaes will also need to be assessed after suffering a blow to the head before being withdrawn at half-time at the London Stadium.
His half-time substitution appeared to be only a precaution, and the same applies to talisman Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori, who were also taken off in the second half.
Meanwhile, United will be without suspended pair Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez after they both picked up their fifth yellow card of the season against Everton.
Harry Maguire couldn’t have picked a better time to return to the fold and should be a like-for-like replacement for Martinez.
However, the game will likely come too soon for summer signing Leny Yoro to make his competitive debut, while Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans are doubtful.
Arsenal possible starting line-up:
(4-3-3): David Raya; Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Riccardo Calafiori; Martin Odegaard, Jorginho, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli.
Manchester United possible starting line-up:
(3-4-2-1): Andre Onana; Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs De Ligt, Harry Maguire; Amad Diallo, Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Luke Shaw; Joshua Zirkzee, Bruno Fernandes; Rasmus Hojlund.