Kick-off: 1630, 03/09/2023
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
TV: Sky Sports
Arsenal have a good record against Manchester United in recent Premier League meetings at Emirates Stadium and are fancied to continue that trend.
The Gunners have picked up 13 points out of a possible 15 from the last five top-flight encounters at this venue, outscoring the Red Devils 10-3.
We like 7/4 for a home win by more than one goal for our first Arsenal vs Man Utd prediction.
Nketiah ‘looks a real threat at the moment’
Admittedly, Arsenal have yet to hit top form this term, despite beating Manchester City on penalties in the Community Shield.
Following narrow victories over Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, the Gunners were surprisingly held to a 2-2 draw by Fulham in front of their own fans.
Bukayo Saka’s blind pass let in Andreas Pereira to score for the visitors after just 57 seconds in front of a stunned Emirates Stadium crowd.
The hosts looked to have done enough to seal a comeback victory when Saka made amends from the spot-kick on 70 minutes and Eddie Nketiah netted soon after.
Fulham then had Calvin Bassey sent off but Joao Palhinha found space inside the box to hook Harrison Reed’s corner beyond Aaron Ramsdale in the 87th minute.
Mikel Arteta said: “We conceded two very, very poor goals. In the Premier League, when you give something away, you’re going to get punished, and we were.”
However, this is a good chance for Arsenal to get back on track and make a statement in what is always a high-profile fixture.
Nketiah will hopefully return to the starting line-up after impressing as a second-half substitute against the Cottagers.
“He looks a real threat at the moment,” said Arteta. “He’s in a good moment, I think he’s full of confidence.
“I saw when he came on in the second half the fire in his eyes and he’s got an eye for goal. The way he finished the action, it was top.”
The 24-year-old bagged a brace in this match last season and is 5/2 to again score in a home win in the Arsenal vs Man Utd odds.
Varane setback adds to United’s injury woes
United are just one point behind Arsenal thanks to Old Trafford wins against Wolves and Forest but were far from convincing on both occasions.
Wanderers missed several good chances before Raphael Varane headed in the only goal of that game while the Red Devils were 2-0 down inside four minutes versus Forest.
They showed plenty of spirit to turn things around and prevail 3-2 through Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and a Bruno Fernandes penalty.
“Of course it is a horror start, giving them two goals and making mistakes,” said Erik ten Hag. “But I am very pleased with the comeback, with the leadership, how we stayed calm and composed.
“We stick to the plans, stick to the belief and turn it around and I think we played in the meantime very good football out of our plan and out of our principles and rules. We scored good goals.”
However, that victory was marred by an injury to Varane which will force him to miss this weekend’s trip to London.
Luke Shaw and Mason Mount picked up issues in the first week of the season while summer signing Rasmus Hojlund has yet to make his debut due to a back complaint.
With reserve left-back Tyrell Malacia and promising youngsters Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo sitting out the start of the campaign, the problems are piling up.
Alarmingly, United only picked up one point when visiting top-nine teams last season and they have already been beaten 2-0 at Tottenham this term.
Let’s add 4/1 for a home win by any two-goal margin to our Arsenal vs Man Utd betting tips.
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