United v Arsenal: Your big match preview

The Gunners have been revitalised since appointing Mikel Arteta as manager earlier this year, and went on to claim the FA Cup at the end of 2019/20. Like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team, they're looking to challenge at the top end of the table this term, so the three points on offer this Sunday will undoubtedly be hotly contested.

 

For United, it's all about maintaining the momentum built since the last international break, and wins over Newcastle, Paris Saint-Germain and Leipzig.

 

Can we do it? Read on to find out how things are shaping up heading into this weekend's clash...

 

Arsenal start this round of Premier League fixtures from 11th position in the table - level on points with their local rivals Chelsea and two points ahead of United, who have played just five games to their six.

 

Arteta's men made a bright start, winning three of their first four league fixtures, with the only defeat a 3-1 reverse to Liverpool at Anfield. But they've stalled somewhat in recent weeks, and have lost their last two matches by the same scoreline of 1-0, away to Manchester City and at home to Leicester, respectively.

 

They did, however, knock Jurgen Klopp's men out of the Carabao Cup on penalties, and remain well placed in the Europa League.

 

United go into the game on the back of some pleasing results, winning three of their last four and keeping two consecutive clean sheets. Wednesday night's Champions League success also represented our first home win of the season.

 

After the win over Julian Nagelsmann's Bundesliga leaders in midweek, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed that Alex Telles will be out of action due to a positive COVID-19 test. Eric Bailly is also expected to be out for a couple more weeks, as is Jesse Lingard.

 

Anthony Martial sits out the final game of a three-match domestic ban this weekend, but the Frenchman will be eligible for our next Champions League test, away to Istanbul Basaksehir, plus next weekend's Premier League trip to Everton.

 

Meanwhile, the visitors will be without David Luiz, whom Arteta ruled out for "the next few weeks" before Thursday's game with Dundalk, while Rob Holding, Calum Chambers and Pablo Mari are also currently on the sidelines.

 

Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey arrived in a move from Atletico Madrid towards the end of the transfer window, and made his first Premier League start in the Gunners' recent 1-0 defeat to Leicester City. 

 

A combative, technical midfielder, it will be interesting to see how he fares against United's multi-talented midfield - whichever personnel Ole Gunnar Solskjaer elects to play in that area of the field. Partey excelled in the knockout stages of the Champions League during his time with Diego Simeone's men, so a high-pressure 90 minutes at Old Trafford could bring the best out of him.

 

As ever, it's also worth keeping an eye on Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang. The deadly centre-forward is without a league goal since Arsenal's opening day of the top-flight season - a 3-0 win away at Fulham - but he rarely remains profligate for long.

 

The teams have not met since the first day of 2020, when Arteta recorded his very first win as Arsenal boss by masterminding a 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium. The north Londoners' last two trips to Old Trafford came under Unai Emery, and both finished as draws, so the Reds will be desperate to put that frustrating little run to an end, especially in light of last weekend's stalemate with Chelsea. The most recent Premier League match here saw a sublime Scott McTominay strike cancelled out by a VAR-assisted Aubameyang equaliser, on a rainy night in M16.

 

 

Referee: Mike Dean

Assistants: Ian Hussin & Dan Robathan

Fourth official: Anthony Taylor

VAR: Peter Bankes

Assistant VAR: Neil Davies

 

 

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