Manchester United v Arsenal preview as new season begins at Old Trafford | OneFootball

Manchester United v Arsenal preview as new season begins at Old Trafford | OneFootball

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·16 August 2025

Manchester United v Arsenal preview as new season begins at Old Trafford

Article image:Manchester United v Arsenal preview as new season begins at Old Trafford

Arsenal head north to face United in a heavyweight opening clash that could set the tone for the title race.

Article image:Manchester United v Arsenal preview as new season begins at Old Trafford

Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

Arsenal open their Premier League season on Sunday at Old Trafford, facing a Manchester United side still searching for itself.


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For Mikel Arteta, this is an early chance to underline his team’s title ambitions with a statement away win, especially after Liverpool’s opening day 4-2 over Bournemouth on Friday evening.

The summer has strengthened Arsenal in key areas. Viktor Gyokeres arrives as the No.9 they have long needed, while Martin Zubimendi joins Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard to form a midfield designed to control games.

With William Saliba and Gabriel at the back, supported by Ben White and Jurrien Timber, the spine looks stronger than at any point in Arteta’s tenure.

Article image:Manchester United v Arsenal preview as new season begins at Old Trafford

Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images

Arsenal’s record at Old Trafford is poor, but recent visits give some hope. They have scored in their last 11 league matches there but have won only twice in the last five visits. However, Arsenal have started each of the past three seasons with a win.

Team news is relatively settled. Gabriel Jesus is out until late September with a cruciate ligament injury and Leandro Trossard is doubtful, but otherwise Arteta has a full squad. “I think he [Trossard] is much better,” Arteta said on Friday. “I think he will be able to train again tomorrow and if that’s the case, he will be fit.”

The likely XI is David Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Zubimendi; Bukayo Saka, Ødegaard, Gabriel Martinelli; Gyokeres. Both Saka and Gyokeres scored in the final pre-season friendly, a 3-0 win against Athletic Bilbao.

The tactical battles are familiar. Saka’s one-on-one threat against United’s left side will be a constant outlet while Gyokeres’ arrival means we will see defenders forced to make a choice on how often they double – or triple – up on Saka. Rice and Zubimendi should give Arsenal more control through midfield, while Ødegaard’s pressing high up the pitch can force turnovers.

Set pieces remain an important weapon, with Saliba and Gabriel consistently dangerous.

United are hoping to kick-start a new era under Ruben Amorim and will lean on attacking signings Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Their defence and midfielder, however, remains questionable.

Arsenal have a stronger squad, clearer identity, and momentum from a relatively successful pre-season. Old Trafford remains a hard place to go, but Arteta’s side travel with every reason to believe they can take three points.

“We need to play each other, we need to play at some point, and we’ll start at an incredible stadium with so much history and a beautiful way to start the season,” Arteta said. “We will go game-by-game and make the best preparations and then perform to earn the right to win the game.

“They will be different. The manager will have more time with them, they have a pre-season, they make some really good signings as well, like anybody else. I think they strengthened and they will be better than last year, like the rest of the teams.”

As for United’s team news, “Nous and Licha are out,” said Amorim at the club’s new Carrington training ground. “They cannot play in this game. Josh recovered, Andre recovered, they are options for this game, we will see.”

As for Sesko, who could have been lining up for Arsenal had the Gunners not walked away from transfer talks after a year, Amorim said, “We didn’t have a lot of time but he’s ready. First of all, physically, he’s ready. That is a big component in our league.

“Then, he’s really smart. Every detail he asks, he’s a guy that is always thinking. He spends all afternoon here working on his fitness, so he’s ready to play, we will see if he’s going to start.”

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