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Arsenal set to edge out Manchester United in close-fought battle

Arsenal vs Manchester United - 03/09/2023

Arsenal set to edge out Manchester United in close-fought battle
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Arsenal will aim to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League season when they welcome Manchester United to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The two sides are separated by just one point in the table after three games, with fifth-placed Arsenal leading eighth-placed Manchester United.

Can Mikel Arteta’s men remain unbeaten in 2023-24? Or will the Red Devils spoil the party in North London?

Arsenal head into Sunday’s showdown on the back of a 2-2 draw with Fulham, despite racking up 19 shots while enjoying 72% possession last weekend.

Second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah saw the Gunners come from behind to lead the Cottagers, but Joao Palhinha equalised on 87 minutes.

Arsenal kicked off their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest before claiming a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace on Matchday 2.

Having surrendered the title to Manchester City last season, the Gunners will be determined to go one better this time around.

Meanwhile, Manchester United came from 2-0 down to beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 last weekend, producing a memorable turnaround at Old Trafford.

After conceding twice inside the opening four minutes, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro found the back of the net before Bruno Fernandes scored the winner following Joe Worrall’s red card.

Despite facing a barrage of 23 shots on the opening weekend, the Red Devils managed to secure a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

However, Man Utd’s defensive frailties were exposed on Matchday 2 as Erik ten Hag’s men conceding 17 shots while suffering a 2-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.

Head-to-head: Across their past six Premier League meetings, Arsenal and Manchester United have both picked up two wins, playing out a couple of draws.

When you look at the bigger picture, however, the Gunners have lost only two of their previous 10 Premier League encounters with the Red Devils.

Team news: Arsenal will be without injured pair Jurrien Timber and Mohamed Elneny for the foreseeable future, while Eddie Nketiah is a doubt for Sunday.

Manchester United’s injury list contains Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Raphael Varane, Tyrell Malacia and new signing Rasmus Hojlund.

Sunday’s showdown looks destined to be a close-fought battle between two old rivals, although Arsenal have the edge on home soil.

Forebet predicts that Arsenal and Manchester United will combine for over 2.5 goals, with the Gunners claiming all three points.

Home team
Away team
Probability %
1X2
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
EPL
412632
1
2 - 1
2.88
25°
1.75
1.75 3.60 4.50 no no no
FT
3 - 1(1 - 1)
-
- - -
Premier League
OVERALL TABLE PTS GP W D L +/-
1
Arsenal 83 36 26 5 5 60
2
Manchester City 82 35 25 7 3 54
3
Liverpool 75 35 22 9 4 41
4
Aston Villa 67 35 20 7 8 21
5
Tottenham 60 34 18 6 10 13
6
Newcastle United 56 35 17 5 13 22
7
Manchester United 54 34 16 6 12 1
8
Chelsea 51 34 14 9 11 6
9
West Ham 49 35 13 10 12 -9
10
Bournemouth 48 36 13 9 14 -11
11
Wolverhampton 46 36 13 7 16 -11
12
Fulham 44 36 12 8 16 -4
13
Brighton 44 34 11 11 12 -5
14
Crystal Palace 40 35 10 10 15 -12
15
Everton 37 36 12 9 15 -11
16
Brentford 36 36 9 9 18 -8
17
Nottingham Forest 29 36 8 9 19 -18
18
Luton Town 26 36 6 8 22 -29
19
Burnley 24 36 5 9 22 -35
20
Sheffield United 16 36 3 7 26 -65

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