Will the Gunners remain unbeaten for the 15th time in a row?
On Sunday evening, Manchester United and Arsenal FC will face each other at Old Trafford in the first match of the Premier League season. The last time the two teams met was on matchday 28 of last season, when they drew 1-1 at Old Trafford. In our Manchester United vs. Arsenal prediction, we are again expecting fewer than three goals.
United failed to win two league games in a row last season – they urgently need to change that this season if they are to challenge for the top spots again. The Red Devils have also been busy in the transfer market, spending around €75 million on three new players: Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and, most recently, Benjamin Sesko.
In Amorim’s side’s last friendly, they drew 1-1 with Fiorentina, with the Portuguese coach’s team ultimately prevailing 5-4 on penalties.
Arsenal, on the other hand, played two friendlies in August: They lost the first 2-3 to Villareal, but most recently enjoyed a 3-0 win against Atletic Bilbao. The new €65 million man in attack, Viktor Gyökeres, scored his debut goal for the Gunners. In our Manchester United vs. Arsenal prediction, we are once again expecting a goal from the Swede. Arsenal also secured the services of Martin Zubimendi for €70 million and Noni Madueke for €56 million.
The best bookmakers are siding with the Londoners in their predictions. The Gunners are ahead in the Manchester United vs. Arsenal odds with values of up to 2.10.
Manchester United – Statistics & current form
Manchester United go into this clash with Arsenal in decent form. The Red Devils have lost only two of their last 18 Premier League home games against the Gunners, but both were against Mikel Arteta’s side, losing 1-0 in November 2020 and May 2024.
Last season ended with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa, but United failed to win two consecutive league games throughout the entire campaign. Their last back-to-back wins came on the opening day of the previous season, when they beat Fulham 1-0, having won their last two games of the 2023/24 season.
Will Man United secure their 100th win against Arsenal?
Historically, the omens are positive for the start of the season: United are playing their ninth consecutive Premier League home game to kick off the season – a record – and have won more than any other team on the first day of the season (22 times) with an impressive win rate of 67%.
In direct comparison with Arsenal, United has 99 wins from 243 competitive games, with only Aston Villa (107 wins) having more. With another victory, they could become the first team to beat the Gunners 100 times. If you believe in the 100th victory, you can secure Manchester United vs. Arsenal betting odds of 3.65.
But even a draw would certainly not leave the Red Devils dissatisfied. For a draw after 90 minutes, the odds for Manchester United vs. Arsenal are 3.60 in the Betano app.
Arsenal – Statistics & current form
Arsenal travel to Old Trafford on the back of a strong run of away form. Mikel Arteta’s side are unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League away games (seven wins, seven draws), with their last defeat coming in November last year, when they lost 1-0 at Newcastle United. In our Manchester United vs. Arsenal prediction, we expect this to remain the case.
However, they are still a long way off their record from 2003/04, when a 27-game unbeaten away run was also ended by Manchester United.
Will Györkeres give the Gunners’ offense a new boost?
Arsenal have scored in each of their last 11 Premier League away games at United (14 goals) and have won their opening game in five of the last six seasons, including the last three in a row. Their last longer run of opening wins came between 2001/02 and 2005/06 (five in a row). The 2025/26 season will mark Arsenal’s 100th consecutive season in the English top flight – the longest current streak in the world.
The Gunners are relying on new signing Viktor Gyökeres in attack, who was the most prolific player in Europe’s top 10 leagues in the past two seasons with 68 goals in 66 league games for Sporting CP. If he scores, he would be only the third player to celebrate a goal against United on his Premier League debut at Old Trafford. In our Manchester United vs. Arsenal prediction, we believe the Swede will make a perfect debut.
Manchester United – Arsenal Head-to-head record / H2H record
Manchester United and Arsenal have faced each other in 206 competitive matches, including two in the Champions League, 192 in the Premier League, eight in the FA Cup, two in the League Cup and two in the English Super Cup. The record is slightly in favor of the Red Devils, who have won 84 games, while Arsenal have won 72 and 50 matches have ended in a draw. Manchester United also has a slight advantage in terms of goal difference, with 302 goals to 279.
Manchester United – Arsenal Tip
Opening games are always difficult to predict – anything seems possible, from a goal fest to a defensive battle. Based on the last five encounters, in which four times fewer than three goals were scored, we have again opted for under 2.5 goals. We expect the Gunners to win their opening game: they have strengthened their squad considerably with the signings of Gyökeres and Zubimendi and have won five of their last six opening games – the last three in a row. They are also unbeaten in their last 14 PL away games and should remain so.
Since Arsenal have scored in their last eleven PL away games at Old Trafford, we have decided on a goalscorer. And who else could it be but top signing Viktor Gyökeres? The Swede was the most prolific scorer in Europe’s top ten leagues in the last two seasons and has already scored in his first friendly for the Gunners. We believe he will hit the ground running in the Premier League.
