Arsenal vs Manchester United Preview, Prediction & Betting Odds (GW23)
Arsenal and Manchester United meet in a headline Premier League clash on Sunday as Gameweek 23 delivers another chapter in one of English football's most storied rivalries at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal continue to set the pace in the title race, while Manchester United arrive in strong recent form as they push to consolidate a top-four position under interim manager Michael Carrick. With both sides balancing domestic ambition and squad management at a critical point in the season, this matchup carries significant implications at both ends of the table.
This preview covers predicted lineups, injury news, head-to-head history, betting odds and a score prediction for Sunday's Arsenal vs Manchester United match.
Premier League Player News & Updates
When & Where to Watch (USA/UK)
Sunday, January 25 at 11:30 a.m. ET/4:30 p.m. local
US schedule (English)
- TV Channel: NBCSN
- Live Stream: Peacock
UK schedule
- TV Channel: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League
- Live Stream: Sky Go app, NOW TV
Arsenal vs Manchester United Head-to-Head Record
Manchester United and Arsenal have met on 244 occasions, dating back to 1894 when the sides played to a 3-3 draw in a League Division Two matchup.
Manchester United lead the all-time series, winning 102 times and drawing 51 times.
Over the last five Premier League seasons, Arsenal have dominated the fixture, winning six times and drawing twice in 10 Premier League matchups.
Fixture Trivia
Question: Across 12 Premier League encounters, how many times has Mikel Arteta defeated Manchester United?
Gameweek 22 Trivia: As a Manchester United player, how many career goals did Wayne Rooney score versus Manchester City?
As a Manchester United player, Wayne Rooney scored 11 times versus Manchester City.
Betting Odds and Predictions for Arsenal vs Manchester United
Arsenal enter as clear home favorites, with moneyline prices reflecting their dominant recent form at the Emirates.
Premier League Odds Comparisons
Moneyline Odds
DraftKings: ARS -170 Draw +295, MUN +475
FanDuel: ARS -185 Draw +290, MUN +490
BetMGM: ARS -175 Draw +310, MUN +475
Bet365: ARS -182 Draw +333, MUN +500
Visit RotoWire all season for exclusive sports betting picks and our weekly Premier League betting show. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet. Claim over a thousand dollars in bonuses by signing up at the best sports betting sites using the best sportsbook promos.
RECENT FORM
Arsenal (WDWWD) are unbeaten across their last 12 fixtures in all competitions. Over their last five fixtures, the Gunners have won their three tournament fixtures while drawing each of their league matchups.
Manchester United (WLDDD) earned a resounding 2-0 win over intra-city rivals Manchester City in their most recent fixture to bring their unbeaten Premier League run to five matches (two wins, three draws). Across the five-match stretch, the Red Devils have conceded just four goals.
FORMATIONS
Arsenal continue to deploy their high-possession system, predicated upon the midfield unit imposing their size and strength upon the opponent. Expect manager Mikel Arteta to use a base 4-2-3-1 formation, giving his team the ability to control the ball and push forward in front of goalkeeper David Raya.
Manchester United will likely continue with their new shape under caretaker manager Carrick. In his first fixture at the helm, Carrick positioned his squad in a 4-2-3-1, as he did during his time as the Middlesbrough manager. Look for United to opt for solidity in their double-pivot while allowing Bruno Fernandes to play in the pocket as a traditional No. 10.
CONFIRMED LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS
Premier League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups
Arsenal Injury News & Lineup Notes
Arteta's main concern in conjuring his starting XI will be on his backline. Piero Hincapie (thigh) has missed three matches after being forced off early in Arsenal's 0-0 draw versus Liverpool. He was left out of the squad for Arsenal's 3-1 win versus Inter Milan.
Riccardo Calafiori (strain) could miss his eighth successive fixture after suffering an injury in the warmups ahead of Arsenal's victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. If the versatile duo of Hincapie and Calafiori is once again unfit for duty, look for Myles Lewis-Skelly to assume the left full-back role for Arteta. Alternatively, Arteta could move Jurrien Timber from right full-back to the left side, allowing Ben White to assume the right full-back role.
Kai Havertz (knee) remains out as he works to attain full fitness. The forward has been sidelined for nearly a full year, and Sunday's fixture will likely come too soon. However, expect Havertz's reintegration to be on display in the coming weeks.
Manchester United Injury News & Lineup Notes
Michael Carrick takes charge in his second game as manager with the squad in relative health.
Matthijs De Ligt (back) has missed nine successive league fixtures after playing the full 90 minutes in each of United's first 13 league matches. Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez paired in the center of the United back-four in their 2-0 win over Manchester City. If Carrick opts for rotation, look for Leny Yoro or Ayden Heaven to be included.
Fellow defender Noussair Mazraoui will be a question mark ahead of the fixture as he was granted additional leave by the club after representing Morocco in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Final, according to Tyrone Marshall of the Manchester Evening News.
Lastly, forward Joshua Zirkzee (knock) was left out of the squad versus Manchester City after picking up an injury during training, according to Rob Dawson from ESPN. If fit, look for Zirkzee to be amongst the substitutes, as he has been named to the starting XI in just one of his last seven league appearances.
KEY MATCHUPS
Martinez & Maguire versus Viktor Gyokeres or Gabriel Jesus
The mismatched characteristics of the presumed Manchester United central defensive pairing Sunday create a unique challenge and opportunity for Arteta's possession-based style at home. Regardless of which Arsenal striker is named to the starting XI, I expect each to make an appearance.
When Gyokeres is leading the line, look for Arteta to isolate the physical forward against the more diminutive Martinez. When Jesus is deployed, anticipate Arteta leveraging the forward's agility in isolated matchups against the less fleet-of-foot Maguire.
Lastly, with Arsenal expected to dominate possession, a barrage of shots are likely to come from the edge of the penalty area. Whether the backline or the attackers react first to rebounds in the box is likely to have an outsized importance in determining the result of the matchup.
Declan Rice & Martin Zubimendi versus Bruno Fernandes
The silver-lining of the conclusion of the Reuben Amorim era at Manchester United is the return of Fernandes to his customary position in the No. 10 role as he supports strikers Benjamin Sesko or Bryan Mbeumo. Under Amorim, the attacking midfielder had, at times, been asked to play in a central-attacking-midfield pairing and to increase his defensive work rate. In his first league fixture under Carrick, Fernandes created six chances and supplied one assist from his familiar role in the pocket beneath the striker.
Conversely, Zubimendi and Rice's holding play is integral to allow club captain Martin Odegaard to play a more advanced, roaming role. If Arteta detects an opportunity, look for the gaffer to press his advantage by also allowing Rice the freedom to emerge from the double-pivot and join the attack. As Rice pushes forward, Arsenal must be vigilant as to which spaces they're allowing Fernandes to roam as the No. 10 attempts to catalyze the United counter-attack.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Gabriel's recovery runs are part and parcel to what has made him one of the most effective defenders in world football since joining Arsenal from Lille during the 2020 summer transfer window.
In a fixture where the most dangerous opponents' efforts are expected to come from counter-attacking opportunities, the Gunners' ability to quickly get numbers behind the ball will be necessary to keep Manchester United at bay.
I back Gabriel to be the force that tracks the runs of Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Kobbie Mainoo into the box and clear his lines in an Arsenal clean sheet effort.
RESULT
Arsenal 2 - Manchester United 0
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Arsenal: Jan. 31 at Leeds United
Manchester United: Feb. 1 vs Fulham
