Who: Arsenal vs Manchester United
Content: English Premier League
Location: Emirates Stadium, London, UK
Date and time: Sunday 23rd January, 4:30pm (16:30 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll bring you everything on Al Jazeera Sports from 17:00 GMT, ahead of the text commentary stream.
Premier League leaders Arsenal are favorites to win their first English title since 2004, but on Sunday they face an unexpected and unpredictable threat from a rejuvenated Manchester United side.
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Even before manager Ruben Amorim was sacked, the Red Devils were showing signs of life, rising from a slump in 15th place last season to qualifying for the Champions League this term.
The Gunners maintain a four-point lead over second-placed Manchester City after Saturday’s win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, but they still have a hand in the game and were given a significant favor by United, who defeated their intercity rivals last weekend.
That performance under caretaker manager Michael Carrick lit a fire in Sunday’s game and evoked memories of the turn-of-the-century clash between the Gunners and Red Devils, when they were a team that could be stopped on either side.
Al Jazeera Sports has detailed coverage of this much-anticipated and likely much-hyped matchup.
Arsenal must be wary of a resurgent Manchester United
Ahead of Sunday’s game against United, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed concern about the renewed intensity of his opponents under Carrick.
United defeated second-placed Manchester City 2-0 in a thrilling derby, extending Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to seven points. But Arteta admitted his team will be put to a tough test.
“Yes, with Michael coming in, it will bring new ideas. It will increase the intensity. You could see it in the way they behaved in the Manchester derby and the games they played,” Arteta said.
“We’re expecting a tough game, but we’ll definitely adapt to it. We’re at home and we know how important it will be for us.”
How will Arsenal prepare for Manchester United’s visit?
Gabriel Jesus and Victor Goqueres are in contention for a place in the starting XI after both forwards impressed in Tuesday’s 3-1 Champions League win over Inter Milan. Jesus scored twice, and substitute Gokeres also found the back of the net.
“We’ve been waiting for it because we have a lot of games coming up. Every game will give us a chance and minutes. It’s really great to have them back and especially the way they’re doing so well,” he said.
Arteta also addressed Arsenal’s decision to loan teenage midfielder Ethan Nwaneri to Olympique de Marseille.
“In the end I have to be thrown into the Sharks, in an incredible atmosphere and club. It will be very good,” Arteta said of the move.
Arsenal are ‘far from perfect’ despite leading the Premier League and Champions League
Arteta said his side had room for improvement despite being unbeaten in their last 12 games and winning all seven of this season’s Champions League games, while Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola called Arsenal the best team in the world.
“I think we are a team that always wants to improve. We are doing a lot of things right, but we are far from perfect. Our only goal is to maintain the level we are at and aim to improve again,” Arteta said.
“You need to dominate all phases of the game to have a chance of winning major trophies.”
Manchester United should not get carried away with Arsenal
United’s derby win against City may have brightened the mood at Old Trafford, but on Friday Carrick urged his team to strike a balance between renewed confidence and caution ahead of their trip to north London.
Carrick’s attack-minded side dispelled any dark clouds hanging over the club last weekend with second-half goals from Brian Mbeumo and Patrick Dorg, underscoring their superiority over a disappointing City side whose title hopes suffered a major setback.
“It’s been a great week – great results, great performances and a great atmosphere in the stadium,” Carrick said ahead of Sunday’s game.
“It’s about finding the balance between getting encouragement and confidence from games and performances, but also staying calm and staying grounded.
“We have another big game coming up. One game doesn’t make us a great team, but it gives us a great foundation.
“(I’m) looking forward to the game. It’s a big challenge. They’re a very good team. There’s a lot of strong points in their game. They’re here for a reason and we’re very aware of that,” added the 44-year-old Englishman.
Casemiro remains an integral part of United despite his imminent departure
Carrick also addressed the future of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who announced on Thursday that he will leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires.
The 33-year-old has a one-year contract extension option, but team officials said the club chose not to exercise it.
Casemiro joined Old Trafford from Real Madrid in 2022 for around £60 million ($81.11 million) and played a key role in United’s 2023 League Cup win, scoring in the final and helping them win the 2024 FA Cup.
“Casemiro’s announcement was more about clarity than anything else,” Carrick said. “It was decided before I arrived and it wasn’t something I decided on a whim.
“But the kind of personality and character he is, his performance last week, his state of mind and what it means to be here and finish the season on a strong note.
“I’ve talked to him and he’s desperate to do well and do well.”
Mainu could be a key player for United for years to come.
With Casemiro leaving the club, Carrick is keen to keep an eye on Koby Mainu, saying he has the qualities and personality to become a key player at the club after a setback under Ruben Amorim.
Mainu made his first start in the Premier League this season in the win over City.
However, the 20-year-old emerged under manager Erik ten Hag in the 2023/24 season, scoring as United beat City in the FA Cup final, helping England reach the Euro 2024 final.
However, during Amorim’s ill-fated 14 months he struggled to feature in matches, as the Portuguese manager rejected the call to play for Mainu alongside club captain Bruno Fernandes.
“This club needs young players to flourish and provide a meaningful foundation not only for the players and the team, but also for the club and its supporters,” Carrick said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s game against Premier League leaders Arsenal.
“I think that’s something we need to figure out and continue to build on.
“Coby is a prime example of that. To come up through the ranks so quickly, to rise to prominence so quickly, to play in and influence such big games at such a young age shows that he can handle it in terms of very high quality and character.
“Some parts of a career have some ups and downs and sometimes take different trajectories. But I think we saw last week what Coby can bring.”
What impact did United’s win over City have on Carrick’s team?
The win against City moved fifth-placed United to within one point of the top four in the Premier League. The Red Devils can move two points up to fourth with a win against the Gunners after fourth-placed Liverpool lost to Bournemouth on Saturday.
The atmosphere around Old Trafford changed completely as a result of this strong performance. Carrick hopes this provides the basis for a positive end to the season as United aim to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in three years.
“It was a great result, a great performance and a great atmosphere in the stadium,” Carrick added.
“It’s about maintaining a balance between receiving encouragement and confidence from the game and staying calm and grounded.
“One game doesn’t make us a great team, but it gives us a great foundation to build on, so we have a lot of confidence.”
What happened the last time Arsenal played United?
Manchester United posed a tough test to Arsenal in the first Premier League of the season, with Amorim’s side dominating, but the Gunners swatted away the challenge with a 1-0 victory.
Riccardo Calafioli scored the only goal of the match at Old Trafford in the 14th minute.
direct confrontation
This will be the 255th meeting between the great rivals in English football, with United winning 99 times. Arsenal have won 90 times.
arsenal team news
Arsenal this week welcomed Riccardo Calafioli and Piero Hincapie back into training following injury.
Arteta was unsure whether Calafioli, who has been sidelined since last month with a muscular injury, and Hincapie, who has been sidelined since last month with a muscular injury, would be ready to join Arsenal’s defense this weekend after returning to training on Friday after suffering a groin injury earlier this month.
The coach added that forward Kai Havertz is close to a full recovery and winger Max Daumann is the only player missing due to injury.
Arsenal expected lineup (4-3-3)
Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Odegaard, Zvimendi, Rais, Saka, Gökeres, Trossard
manchester united team news
Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt remains United’s biggest absentee, remaining sidelined with a back injury.
Joshua Zirkzee suffered a knock and will need to undergo a medical examination. Nousser Mazraoui is expected to be available after returning from the African Cup of Nations, where they lost to Morocco in the final.
Manchester United’s expected starting lineup (4-2-3-1)
Lamence, Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Mainu, Casemiro, Diallo, Fernandes, Dorg, Mbeumo
