Man Utd v Arsenal predictions: Gunners can maintain perfect start

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Manchester United v Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event/Premier League, 4.30pm Sunday

Best bet

Arsenal draw no bet
1pt 10-11 Betfred, Hills

Team news

Manchester United
Facundo Pellistri (ankle) and Brandon Williams (unspecified) remain sidelined and Anthony Martial (Achilles) is a doubt.

Arsenal
Reiss Nelson, Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey (all thigh) are ruled out and Oleksandr Zinchenko (knee) is a doubt.

Match preview

It is 75 years since Arsenal started a season with six successive league victories but they can equal the feat of their 1947-48 team by defeating Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The Gunners were crowned champions that season, but a title charge is still considered to be unlikely this term.

Mikel Arteta's main focus will be on securing a top-four finish and this weekend's clash could be a key battle, because United are re-emerging as contenders for Champions League qualification.

There was a toxic mood among the United fanbase after Erik ten Hag's side were beaten 4-0 at Brentford, but three successive victories have changed the outlook and there has been no expense spared on the transfer front with Casemiro and Antony joining the ranks towards the end of the transfer window.

United's clear intention is to quickly move on from the mediocrity of last season and each victory is helping them to rebuild the confidence which look shattered after their opening two games.

However, there is a long way to go before United can think of competing on even terms with the world's top clubs.

They were deserved 2-1 winners at home to injury-hit Liverpool and showed a steelier side when securing 1-0 away wins over Southampton and Leicester, but the match with Arsenal presents a much sterner test of their abilities.

Arsenal have taken advantage of a beneficial schedule to quickly dispense with any notion of a hangover from last season.

William Saliba has forged a solid centre-back partnership with Gabriel and the attack has been seriously upgraded by Gabriel Jesus's arrival from Manchester City.

The Brazilian has got off to a stunning start – contributing three goals and three assists – and seems to complement Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, who are the other key elements in a slick Arsenal attack.

There is plenty pace and clever movement and no lack of creativity with Martin Odegaard invariably picking the right passes.

Offensively, Arsenal do not look a million miles off the top teams, but their midfield could hold them back from sustaining a genuine title challenge.

Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey are recent additions to the treatment room and, while Albert Sambi Lokonga and Granit Xhaka functioned well enough in Wednesday's 2-1 success at home to Aston Villa, they are more likely to struggle against better opposition.

Arsenal tried and failed to reinforce their midfield on deadline day and it could be a situation which affects them as the season hots up.

However, in the short term everything looks pretty rosy in the Gunners' garden and there is every chance of them delivering a reality check to the Red Devils this weekend.

Key stat

Arsenal have won their last six Premier League fixtures

Inside info

Manchester United

Penalty taker Bruno Fernandes/Cristiano Ronaldo
Assist ace Christian Eriksen
Set-piece aerial threat Raphael Varane
Card magnet Scott McTominay

Arsenal

Penalty taker Gabriel Jesus
Assist ace Gabriel Jesus
Set-piece aerial threat Gabriel
Card magnet Granit Xhaka

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