With the festive schedule ramping up, here’s our Arsenal Vs Manchester United preview, prediction, team news and confirmed lineups ahead of Wednesday’s midweek Premier League match.
Arsenal Vs Manchester United Preview
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners raced out into a four-goal lead in the first half against West Ham. The Irons responded with two of their own before the break, only for Bukayo Saka to make it 5-2 from the spot in an utterly crazy opening period.
The second half could never have lived up to the first, but many fans would have been disappointed to see no further goals at the London Stadium.
Arsenal now have three straight wins in all competitions and look to be regaining their early-season form.
They have looked back to their best since the November international break, and moved up to second in the Premier League table after Manchester City’s defeat at Liverpool.
Manchester United, meanwhile, look to be settling into life under Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese manager picked up his first win in midweek with a 3-2 victory over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.
United then backed that result up with a thumping, 4-0 win against Everton on Sunday which lifted United back into the top half.
With them now only four points below Brighton in the Champions League places, the Red Devils could be having their ‘new manager bounce’ at just the right time.
But they will need a top-rate performance to beat Arsenal at the Emirates this week. United have lost their last three Premier League matches against the Gunners, and haven’t beaten Arsenal away from home since a 3-1 FA Cup victory in 2019.
A big month ahead. Let's get it. pic.twitter.com/i4QikddOCH
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 1, 2024
Arsenal Vs Manchester United Team News
Just as Arsenal looked to have emptied out their treatment room, they picked up fresh concerns against West Ham.
Gabriel was taken off at half time with an injury he picked up against Sporting. He joins Mikel Merino (knee), Thomas Partey (muscle) and Myles Lewis-Skelly (unspecified) on the sidelines, all of whom were absent at the weekend.
Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu will also be out with knee issues, meaning Jacob Kiwior will make his first league start of the season.
United have their own injury problems, though. Captain Bruno Fernandes came off with an ankle problem at the weekend but will start for the visitors.
Ruben AMorim is also missing the suspended pair of Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo after both picked up too many yellow cards against Everton.
Harry Maguire is fit again, and comes in for Martinez. This will be a welcome boost for United, with Jonny Evans (knock) and Victor Lindelof (groin) all out.
Despite star performances against Everton, Marcus Rashford, Joshua Zirkzee and Amad Diallo have all been moved to the bench.
Mason Mount, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia have been preferred, with the latter making his first start of the season.
Arsenal Vs Manchester United Confirmed Lineups
Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Manchester United: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire; Dalot, Fernandes, Ugarte, Malacia; Mount, Garnacho; Hojlund
Arsenal Vs Manchester United Prediction
The Gunners look like they are back to their best, and appear to have rediscovered their confidence.
Ruben Amorim is finding his feet at Old Trafford, and there are plenty of encouraging signs. However, this looks to be too big a test for his new-look United so early into their redevelopment.
For that reason, we expect Arsenal to take all three points at the Emirates on Wednesday.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United
