Arsenal vs Manchester United
Premier League leaders Arsenal are back at the Emirates on Sunday when they entertain Michael Carrick’s Manchester United in a fascinating clash.
Carrick’s return to the club he graced as a player could not have started better as the Red Devils rolled back the years with a Derby day win over a shocked, and shocking, Manchester City. It was a good result to for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal too; as the Premier League 2026 betting odds are in no doubt that the Sky Blues are the biggest threat to the Gunners’ title aspirations.
Arsenal versus Manchester United is one of the English top flight’s most iconic fixtures. The two clubs were fierce rivals in the early 2000s and while their paths have strayed in recent years this game is still box office stuff. If Carrick can follow up the win over Manchester City by frustrating, or even beating the Gunners, the Red Devils fans will be in dreamland…and the team will be thinking of a return to the Champions League.
But that is one big ‘if’!
Talking Points
Jesus makes his case for a start
Arteta’s team are not just chasing the Premier League. They are in the FA Cup fourth round, in pole position to reach the Carabao Cup final after beating Chelsea 3-2 in the first leg semi-final; and the Gunners are top of the UEFA Champions League table, assured of a top two place with just one game to play, at home to the minnows of Kairat Almaty.
Things are looking pretty good for Arteta, and his struggle to find a centre forward seems to have been eased somewhat. As the Gunners made it seven wins fro seven in Europe with a 3-1 win away to Inter Milan, Brazil star Gabriel Jesus scored a superb brace before being substituted, to a standing ovation, by summer signing Viktor Gyokores, who made the game safe when he added Arsenal’s third.
The Swedish star made a strong start to his Arsenal career, but he has struggled to hit the heights hoped for and he was replaced by Jesus during Arsenal’s 0-0 draw away to Nottingham Forest last week. This competition for places is a nice problem for Arteta to have and Jesus has made his case for a start against Manchester United. And with a team full of goals, Gabriel Martinelli scored a hat-tick in the Gunners’ 4-1 FA Cup win over Portsmouth and skipper Martin Odegaard is back to full fitness, to have an in-form striker is the last piece in Arteta’s puzzle.
Manchester City’s sloppy form has opened the door to Arsenal, who have a seven point lead at the top, and while there are 16 games to go that is some advantage at this stage of the race. With the Sky Blues hosting bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, barring one of the most surprising Premier League 2026 results of the year, I expect the gap to be down to four and then the pressure increases slightly when Arsenal take the pitch on Sunday. But they will have no lack of firepower.
Can Carrick find that elusive consistency?
The Red Devils are in fifth place and have a Champions League spot in their sights, with Liverpool a single point ahead in fourth, though Chelsea are breathing down their necks a point behind in sixth. Carrick was jubilant after his players put in an energetic and passionate showing against the Sky Blues, with no little quality as Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu blew away their city rivals. “Today was special,” beamed Carrick as his players celebrated. “I felt that was unbelievable from the staff and players. I’m not getting carried away. It is one result, but it needs to be a regular feeling with that level of performance.”
And that is the key. The departed Ruben Amorin failed to get any consistency from these players and Carrick struggled with the same problem as manager of Championship side Middlesbrough. But this could be a perfect match for the club and interim coach; at least Carrick knows how Manchester United built a habit of winning trophies when he was a player.
History
Manchester United have won 31 of the last 74 meetings with Arsenal, while the Gunners have won 25 and there have been 18 draws. At the Emirates Stadium Arsenal are on top with 17 victories to 11 and nine draws and the Gunners were triumphant on their visit to Old Trafford in August, as a goal from Riccardo Calafiori was enough to take all three points.
With four wins and two draws from their last six games in all competitions the Gunners remain strong, while the Red Devils have won two, drawn three and lost one in that time.
Betting Tip
The Gunners are the hot SBOTOP favourites at a price of 1.57 to win with Manchester United at 5.50 and the draw at 3.80 and, while the visitors are riding the wave of a superb start for Carrick, I expect the Gunners to be at their efficient best to take another big step towards the title.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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