Arsenal vs Manchester United preview, predictions & possible XIs
Mikel Arteta’s baptism of fire at Arsenal continues as the Gunners kick off 2020 at home to Manchester United.
Arteta took over at Arsenal last week, replacing Freddie Ljungberg who had stepped in after Unai Emery‘s sacking in November. The Spaniard has so far seen his side win just one point from two games, drawing with Bournemouth before losing to Chelsea.
Those results have extended Arsenal’s poor record to just one win from 12 Premier League games and seen the club drop to 12th place.
Manchester United had a similarly slow start to the 2019/20 campaign but have turned things around to sit fifth, just four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea. The Red Devils have lost just one of their past nine Premier League games and have a good record against Big Six sides this season.
Read on for our Arsenal vs Manchester United preview, team news, TV coverage information and more.
When is Arsenal vs Man Utd and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Date: Wednesday, 01 January 2020
Kick-off: 8:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): BT Sport 1
Last five meetings: Arsenal vs Man Utd
30 September 2019: Man Utd 1-1 Arsenal (Premier League)
10 March 2019: Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd (Premier League)
25 January 2019: Arsenal 1-3 Man Utd (FA Cup)
05 December 2018: Man Utd 2-2 Arsenal (Premier League)
29 April 2018: 2-1 Arsenal (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Arsenal (DWLDL) 7-8 Man Utd (DLWDW)
Ones to watch
Arsenal: Mesut Ozil
His Arsenal career looked over under Emery but Mesut Ozil finds himself once again in the Gunners team and has proven just how good he can be.
In the draw with Bournemouth, Ozil was Arsenal’s best creator and he continued his upturn in form against Chelsea, doing his bit in both attack and defence – which is something he had previously been criticised for.
Taken off midway through the second half, Ozil is likely to start against Manchester United and Arsenal need someone of his ability to cut through the Red Devils‘ defence.
Key stat: Mesut Ozil (six) has created more chances than any other Arsenal player since Mikel Arteta took charge.
Man Utd: Marcus Rashford
At the start of the season there were worries about where Manchester United’s goals would come from, following the sale of Romelu Lukaku. However, Marcus Rashford has stepped up magnificently.
The Englishman has already beaten his personal best in the Premier League with 12 goals after just 20 games and has scored five more than any other Manchester United player.
His next aim will be to improve on his record against Arsenal having gone eight matches without scoring past the Gunners, after grabbing two in his first game and Premier League debut.
Key stat: No active England international has scored more Premier League goals this season than Marcus Rashford (12).
Team news
Arsenal
Calum Chambers is the latest Arsenal player to be sidelined after lasting just 20 minutes in the defeat to Chelsea. He could be replaced by Shkodran Mustafi in the back four, just as he was on Sunday, with Arsenal’s defensive options looking thin.
Hector Bellerin is closing in on a return but Arteta may not want to risk the Spaniard so soon, while Granit Xhaka could be available for selection but transfer rumours continue to surround the Switzerland international.
Predicted XI: Leno; Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Luiz, Saka; Torreira, Guendouzi; Pepe, Ozil, Aubameyang; Lacazette.
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Man Utd
Paul Pogba is expected to return to the Manchester United squad after sitting out the 2-0 win over Burnley as the club try to manage his recovery.
Scott McTominay remains out so Fred and Nemanja Matic are likely to join Pogba in midfield if the Frenchman is passed fit, with Luke Shaw potentially replacing Brandon Williams from the Burnley win.
Predicted XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw; Pereira, Matic, Pogba; James, Martial, Rashford.
Squawka prediction
Arsenal showed positive signs in their defeat to Chelsea at the weekend and will feel hard done by with some of the refereeing decisions that did not go their way.
But they still allowed Chelsea back into the game prior to the controversial moments and will be disheartened by another winless game, with just one victory in 15 across all competitions.
Combine this with Manchester United’s confidence and it looks like there will only be one winner.
Scoreline prediction: Arsenal 1-3 Man Utd
Check out more of Squawka’s Premier League predictions here.
