Matchup: Manchester United vs. Arsenal
Event: English Premier League Clash
Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
Date and Time: Sunday, August 16, 2025, at 4:30 PM (15:30 GMT)
Watch Live: Tune into Al Jazeera Sport for pre-match coverage starting at 4:30 PM (15:30 GMT) leading up to our live text commentary.
Arsenal faces a crucial early challenge in their pursuit of Premier League glory, going head-to-head with a newly restructured Manchester United.
Al Jazeera Sport provides an in-depth analysis of the upcoming showdown.
Assessing Arsenal’s Season Prospects
Mikel Arteta has tasked Arsenal with a relentless pursuit of the Premier League title.
After finishing as runners-up in the league for three straight years, doubts are mounting regarding their ability to clinch the championship.
In both 2023 and 2024, Arsenal squandered substantial leads, allowing Manchester City to snatch the title, while last season, an injury-riddled squad fell short to Liverpool.
Fan frustration is palpable, with many querying whether Arteta can break their title drought, especially since his only silverware, an FA Cup, came back in 2020.
However, last season saw Arsenal reach the Champions League semifinals, where they narrowly lost to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain.
With over £180 million ($244 million) spent on new talent, Arteta remains optimistic about capturing the league title this year.
“You have to keep digging until you strike gold,” he told reporters on Friday.
“We’ve accumulated more points than nearly any team over the past three seasons—an impressive statistic.
“Now, we must convert that consistency into a stellar season, finishing with the most points possible.”
Injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus hindered their efforts last season, contributing to 14 draws—far too many compared to Liverpool’s nine—ultimately leading to a 10-point gap behind the champions.
Arsenal’s Summer Acquisitions
To bolster their squad against injuries, Arteta has acquired several players: Sporting Lisbon forward Viktor Gyokeres, Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, and Brentford’s Christian Norgaard.
After lamenting missed opportunities to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa during the winter transfer window, Arteta exudes optimism on the cusp of the new season.
“Our squad boasts great versatility, allowing us to adapt effectively against various opponents,” he remarked.
Arteta also noted that multiple teams have a genuine chance of winning the title, hinting that surprises could arise, especially regarding Manchester United, who are looking to reclaim their status after a difficult campaign last season.
Arsenal had been linked with United’s new striker Benjamin Sesko before settling on Gyokeres, a signing valued at up to £66 million ($89.5 million). The Swede scored an impressive 97 goals in 102 appearances during his time in Portugal, much of it under current United head coach Ruben Amorim.
Outlook for Manchester United’s Season
Instead of acquiring Gyokeres, Amorim revamped the United attack by signing Benjamin Sesko from Leipzig, the Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo, and Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, spending over £200 million ($271 million) in total.
United, without a title since 2013, needed to make significant investments to recover from a disappointing campaign where they finished 15th and missed Champions League qualification after a lackluster 1-0 defeat in the Europa League final against Tottenham.
The pressure mounts on Amorim, who was appointed after Erik ten Hag’s departure, as he strives to make a substantial impact in his second season.
Amorim is counting on Sesko to be pivotal in this comeback, expressing confidence in the 22-year-old Slovenian’s resilience amidst high expectations.
“He understands that playing for Manchester United comes with immense pressure. Every match is do-or-die,” Amorim stated.
“He is truly passionate about football.”
Head-to-Head Record
This matchup marks the 244th encounter between these storied clubs, with Manchester United winning 99 times and Arsenal claiming victory in 89 matches.
The two teams last drew in their previous two meetings, both finishing 1-1, though one was settled by penalties in the FA Cup.
United last triumphed over the Gunners in December 2022, securing a 3-1 victory at home led by a brace from Marcus Rashford.
Since then, Arsenal has emerged victorious in four of the subsequent six clashes.
Manchester United Injury Update
Defensive pair Lisandro Martinez (knee) and Noussair Mazraoui (hamstring) will miss the match due to injury, while Joshua Zirkzee and Andre Onana have returned from their knocks and are available for selection.
Arsenal Injury Update
Arteta confirms that new signings Gyokeres and Zubimendi are both ready to play. Although Leandro Trossard has been nursing a groin issue, he is expected to be fit for selection. However, Gabriel Jesus remains sidelined with a long-term ACL injury, but Arteta has a mostly fit squad at his disposal.
United’s Projected Starting XI
Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha; Sesko
Arsenal’s Projected Starting XI
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli