After a grand kick-off in August, the extravagant caravan of the 2023-24 Premier League has entered into an action-packed September leg where the title race will be tightening up.
We will be witnessing an intense battle between two English heavyweights taking place in the last fixture of the Match Day 4. As the runners-up of the previous season Arsenal is all set to take on the league’s most decorated side Manchester United at Emirates Stadium this Super Sunday.
Despite leading the league table for the majority of the season, gaffer Mikel Arteta and his boys still ended up in the second position behind Manchester City at the end of the 2022-23 PL campaign. The Gunners are currently seated in the top half of the table having seven points obtained from two wins and one draw in three games.
Meanwhile, the ‘Erik ten Hag Era’ at Old Trafford commenced in the previous season with the Red Devils finishing third in the English top-flight league. The Manchester Reds have acquired ninth place in the table and are eying to aim for a better and stronger contention for the EPL silverware.
Current Form
Arsenal’s hunt for the fourth Premier League began with the Londoners winning both of their opening fixtures with Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. However, the triumph-chariot of the Gunners was daunted by Fulham on a 2-2 scoreline as an 87th-minute equalizer from Joao Palhinha forced them to share points at their own fortress.
Previously, the London Reds overtook Liverpool to become the FA Community Shield’s second-most successful club (17 titles) after edging Manchester City in the penalty shootout.
The Manchester Reds escaped from upset at Old Trafford
On the other hand, United suffered a 0-2 blow at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur on the second matchday which was also their first away game of the season. The haunting period for the Manchester Reds continued as they found themselves 0-2 down against Nottingham in just the fourth minute of their very next home fixture. Then we witnessed the sleeping Red Devils waking up and staging a memorable comeback to eventually win the thrilling encounter by 3-0 and claim all three points.
Head-to-Head Record
Arsenal and Manchester United are Premier League’s founding members who have never been relegated till the date and the rivalry between these two sides is considered one of the greatest in football history. Between 1992 and 2004, one of these two clubs went on to grace the champions’ podium of the English top division on 11 out of 12 occasions. They have faced each other on the prestigious stage of EPL 60 times and the head-to-head record of those encounters favors United by 25-17.
The opening face-off of the previous season was convincingly clinched by the Red Devils which stood as the first and only defeat for Arsenal until the 22nd matchday. The Gunners avenged the earlier suffering in the returning fixture to complete an unbeaten run of 13 games in January 2023. It was a thrilling contest of football at Emirates Stadium where the hosts emerged victorious by 3-2 after a stunning 90th-minute winner from the homegrown striker Eddie Nketiah.
Team News
Arsenal’s first-choice left-back option Olelsandr Zinchenko is likely to make his first start of the season after missing pre-season and initial games owing to a knee injury. Gabriel Jesus is confident after making a cameo substitute appearance against Nottingham Forest however, the 26-year-old Brazilian striker may still have to wait for his turn in the Starting 11. Takehiro Tomiyasu will be also available for selection after serving a one-match for picking up a red card in the Crystal Palace fixture.
All set for an anticipated debut of the Danish attacking sensation
Raphael Varane is the latest addition to the long list of unavailable United players consisting of Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo, and Tom Heaton. The 20-year-old Danish striker Rasmus Højlund has been given the green signal by ten Hag for his Premier League debut and is expected to lead the forward line against the Londoners. The newest United starlet Sofyan Amrabat won’t be able to feature in this forthcoming clash after missing the registration deadline of Friday 12 PM.
Predicted Starting XIs
Arsenal (4-3-3): Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Martin Odegaard ©, Declan Rice, Thomas Partey; Bukaayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Andre Onana; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez, Diogo Dalot; Casemiro, Christian Eriksen; Antony, Bruno Fernandes ©, Marcus Rashford; Anthony Martial
Prediction
Arsenal’s unbeaten record and home advantage certainly make them favorites to emerge victorious in this forthcoming prolific contest. There are high chances that we will get to see another goal-fest at Emirates Stadium considering United’s current goal-scoring form and the Gunners being unable to keep a clean-sheet at home this season.