2025-26 Premier League: Week 23 – Arsenal vs Man Utd

Title-chasing Arsenal face Manchester United in a huge encounter between two Premier League giants. 

Victory would see Arsenal reopen their seven-point gap to second-placed Manchester City, whilst Man Utd can go fourth with a win – although a draw would be enough if Chelsea, Brentford and Newcastle slip up elsewhere.

 

Team News

Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori could return for Arsenal in defence after their recoveries from groin and muscle injuries respectively.

Max Dowman remains sidelined with an ankle injury.

Man Utd could welcome Noussair Mazraoui back into contention following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Joshua Zirkzee (muscle) and Matthijs De Ligt (back) are both ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Arsenal host Man Utd at Emirates Stadium on Sunday 25 January at 4:30pm GMT, live on Sky Sports in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

  • Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six league meetings against Man Utd (W5, D1).
  • Man Utd have claimed just one point in their last seven league visits to Arsenal (D1, L6).
  • Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have kept clean sheets in three of their last four league clashes against Man Utd, except for a 1-1 draw in March 2025 at Utd’s Old Trafford.
  • Arsenal are looking to avoid suffering three consecutive 0-0 draws in the Premier League for the first time since a four-match streak between January – February 2009.
  • Man Utd are chasing consecutive top-flight clean sheets for the first time since September 2024.

 

Prediction

Now all but officially guaranteed to top the Champions League league phase and with easy final opposition to come on Wednesday in that competition, Arsenal can afford to go all in on this match and play with the same clinical intensity and press which saw off Inter Milan in midweek.

Man Utd meanwhile absolutely looked more lively and energetic in their attacking play from fluidity to movement and final touches under Michael Carrick in their win over Manchester City, but this is a different test against a strong well-organised Arsenal side so expect more defending here.

Carrick’s Red Devils however can come into this match with an underdog attitude as they have nothing really to lose at this point against a much tougher in-form team, but I just can’t see them stopping Arsenal from getting the win although a goal here would be a small progressive positive to take forward.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Man Utd

Result: Arsenal 2-3 Man Utd

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