Arsenal FC vs Manchester United FC, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

Arsenal FC vs Manchester United FC Match Prediction & Analysis

Arsenal have another opportunity to set down a marker at the top of the table, bidding to win the league for the first time in 19 years.

As Manchester City play before these two teams, the gap could be cut to as little as two points by the time this game kicks off, so an Arsenal win would restore their safety blanket at the top.

The Gunners have passed almost every test they’ve been handed so far, with just the defeat to Manchester United their only failure this season. Victory would send a real message of intent to those below them.

Manchester United’s charge was halted slightly in midweek when they had to settle for a point away to Crystal Palace. Three points looked on the cards before they conceded a last-minute equaliser.

Now, they face a team they beat earlier in the season, but know that they must face them without their midfield general Casemiro, who picked up a suspension in the last game.

It has the makings of a classic.

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Arsenal FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Won five of their last seven home games against United

     Gunners have won five of their six games vs. Big Six clubs this season

Reasons to be fearful:

     Lost to United earlier this campaign

     Were held to a 0-0 draw by Newcastle in their last home game

Arsenal felt themselves unlucky to lose 3-1 to Manchester United earlier this season, a game where they controlled possession and looked to have the upper hand until United hit them on the counter.

It showed Arsenal’s only moment of naivety this season – they pushed all out for the winner at 1-1 but then got caught twice at the back by the pace of Rashford and United’s counterattack.

You doubt the same will happen again. Arteta’s men have gone from strength-to-strength since that game, dropping just four points from two draws during that time.

They have a superior record over United at home in recent seasons, winning five of their last seven meetings at the Emirates. 

They’ve also beaten every other established Big Six side this season, with the exception of United in September and Manchester City, who they are yet to play.

They’ll be desperate to conquer their demons here.

Star Man – Gabriel Martinelli

So many of Arsenal’s players are in great form right now – Saka has scored in his last two against United and Odegaard is one of the country’s best. Martinelli, however, has 10 goal contributions in his last 10 games.

Manchester United FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     Could equal their number of away victories from last season - six

     Haven’t dropped points in consecutive games since the opening two matches of the season

Reasons to be fearful

     Poor away record to Arsenal in recent years

     Failed to score in six of their last nine visits to the Emirates

Manchester United fans will have come away slightly disappointed from their 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace, considering they looked so comfortable throughout the match.

Erik ten Hag criticised his team for a lack of ruthlessness in killing the game off at 1-0, something which ended up costing them two precious points. His side will need to recover from the disappointment quickly.

The Red Devils have been good against their fellow big teams this season, beating Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City over the first half of the campaign, while also drawing to Chelsea.

This will be a more difficult proposition though. Arsenal are at home and in excellent form. They blew Spurs away last weekend and will be in the mood for more here.

The bad news is that Casemiro will miss out having picked up five yellow cards for the season. He has been United’s most important player recently and had started their last 12 league games. 

Star Man – Marcus Rashford

Rashford is enjoying a fantastic season with 16 goals and five assists from his 27 appearances. He also has eight goal contributions from his 10 appearances against Arsenal over the years.