Few fixtures in Premier League history evoke memories quite like clashes between Arsenal and Manchester United. Despite enjoying a seven-point lead at the top, consecutive 0-0 draws for Arsenal mean they've failed to fully take advantage of the faltering form of Manchester City, Aston Villa and Liverpool in the chasing pack. An impressive 3-1 win over Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday ensured a top-two finish in the league phase of the Champions League for Mikel Arteta's side.
Few fixtures in Premier League history evoke memories quite like clashes between Arsenal and Manchester United. While the clubs' respective glories may have faded since their era-defining rivalry of the late 1990s and early 2000s, Sunday's game feels crucial in the context of this year's title race.
Gunning for glory
Despite enjoying a seven-point lead at the top, consecutive 0-0 draws for Arsenal mean they've failed to fully take advantage of the faltering form of Manchester City, Aston Villa and Liverpool in the chasing pack.
An impressive 3-1 win over Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday ensured a top-two finish in the league phase of the Champions League for Mikel Arteta's side. They haven't always been at their best after European games this season though, drawing three of their subsequent league fixtures and relying on a stoppage-time own goal to beat bottom side Wolves.
"Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles." That was the motto of Sir Alex Ferguson, so often Arsenal's nemesis at the turn of the century.
Just 14 league goals conceded makes the Gunners' defence the meanest in the top flight, and Arteta will be hoping William Saliba's imperious form continues as they seek to bring the title back to north London after a 22-year absence.
Arsenal have conceded just 90 goals in 118 Premier League games with the Frenchman on the pitch, an average of one every 115 minutes. Among Gunners players to have played at least 10,000 minutes in the competition, only the legendary Tony Adams (one every 118 minutes) has a better ratio.
What Bruno does best
Michael Carrick's Manchester United will undoubtedly have a spring in their step after last week's 2-0 derby victory over Arsenal's closest challengers, Manchester City.
Bruno Fernandes' assist for Bryan Mbeumo's opener in that game was one of six opportunities he carved out for his team-mates, taking him to a total of 600 chances created in the league.
It was an incisive pass typical of a player who has dictated United's attacking play from the moment he joined the Red Devils. In the six years since, no-one in the league has created more chances or big chances than the Portuguese playmaker.
Can Carrick conjure repeat?
Carrick will take confidence from the fact he has got the better of Arteta before in the dugout. United won 3-2 at Old Trafford during the Englishman's brief interim spell in charge in December 2021.
United, however, are winless in their last six Premier League games against Arsenal (drawn one, lost five) – they have never gone seven in a row without a win against the Gunners.
At Emirates Stadium, their record makes for even worse reading. You have to go back to December 2017, a 3-1 triumph under Jose Mourinho during Arsene Wenger's final season, to find their last league victory there – a sorry run of one win in nine.
Fifth-placed United have proven themselves adept at taking advantage of set pieces this season, with 13 league goals coming from dead-ball situations, excluding penalties. The only team to better that record? Arsenal, with 14.
Category: General Sports
