Overview
Manchester United and Arsenal started the 2025-2026 Premier League season with opposing attitudes but shared the same desire to break away.
Last season, Man United dropped to 15th place - their worst achievement in the Premier League era. In addition, they also lost to Tottenham in the Europa League final.
In contrast, Arsenal continued to finish as runners-up for the third consecutive time, although their dream of winning the championship once again fell apart.
In the season celebrating 100 consecutive years of playing in the top flight of English football, the "Gunners" aim to conquer the throne.
There are already positive signs: they have won five of their last six opening games (losing one), including all three of their last three. Arsenal's most impressive start to a season in recent history has been a back-to-back five wins in 2001-06.
The away form is the mainstay of coach Mikel Arteta's team. They are unbeaten in their last 14 away games in the Premier League (W7 D7). since a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle last November.
This past summer, Arsenal spent a lot of money when bringing in Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke, with the expectation that these will be the last pieces to realize their championship dream.
Gyokeres - who has scored 68 goals in the last two seasons - is expected to be the deciding explosive. Even though the Swedish rookie has not scored yet, Arsenal still have an impressive record at Old Trafford, scoring in all 11 of their most recent visits (14 goals).
Meanwhile, Man United entered the 2025-2026 Premier League season with a familiar advantage. This is the ninth consecutive season that they have played their opening match at home.
History also counts for the Red Devils as they are the league's top finishers and have the highest opening win percentage (67%) of any team that has played in the Premier League for more than a season.
However, Man United have just had a terrible season when they could not win consecutively at any time. The win over Aston Villa in the final round of the 2024-2025 season gives them the opportunity to repeat their streak of two consecutive wins in the Premier League for the first time since the opening round of last season, when they defeated Fulham 1-0.
Similar to Arsenal, the "Red Devils" are also spent heavily in the transfer market, adding Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
However, the greatest hope still lies on captain Bruno Fernandes. He was the only player to score at home against top 6 opponents last season, including a free kick into Arsenal's main net.
Head-to-head record
Man United still maintained an overwhelming record against Arsenal at Old Trafford, having lost just two of their last 18 Premier League visits (won 10, drawn 6)
Notably, both of Arsenal's defeats came under Mikel Arteta - 0-1 in November 2020 and May 2024.
This time, history has added a special part. This is only the second time in the history of the English top flight that Man United have opened the season by hosting Arsenal.
The first time was 35 years ago, when the "Red Devils" crushed the "Gunners" 4-1 in the 1989-1990 season.
In addition, the head-to-head statistics also bring historic opportunities. Man United have won 99 of their 243 meetings with Arsenal in all competitions (55 draws, 89 losses).
If the song is completed this weekend, they will become the first team in history to defeat the "Gunners" 100 times.
Score prediction
According to the Opta supercomputer, Arsenal are rated as having a 45.1% chance of winning at Old Trafford. Meanwhile, Man United's chance of winning is only 29.5%, while the possibility of the two teams being unbeaten is 25.4%.
Predicted result: Man United 2-2 Arsenal
Expected lineup:
Man United: Andre Onana, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Patrick Dorgu, Ayden Heaven, Amad Diallo, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbuemo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko.
Arsenal: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli.
The match between Man United and Arsenal takes place at 22:30 on August 17 (Vietnam time).
