Arsenal vs Manchester United preview: Storylines, odds, prediction for Ruben Amorim's first tough test

Arsenal suffered in the short term after the departure of Arsene Wenger, but under Mikel Arteta, things are moving in the right direction. The only real disappointment is that, with Manchester City finally stumbling, Liverpool have filled the vacuum despite the Gunners pushing the champions closest over the last couple of seasons.

Meanwhile, Manchester United have managed to pick up silverware relatively consistently over the decade or so since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement but have rarely looked like challenging for the biggest prizes. They have now gone seven games unbeaten since Erik ten Hag was shown the door and the hope is that Ruben Amorim can bring back the glory days and United fans might once again be able to party like it’s 1999.

United had a stunning record against Arsenal even in the post-Ferguson wilderness years, but even that seems to have gone the way of all flesh. The hosts have won their last three league matches against these opponents and have a serious chance of making it four in four against United for the first time in their history. This is by far the toughest test these players have faced since Ten Hag exited, and they would no doubt settle for a draw at the Emirates Stadium.

Both sides won emphatically on the weekend, with Arsenal crushing West Ham 5-2 away from home and Amorim seeing his team demolish Everton 4-0 in his first league game at Old Trafford. The only real disappointment about the latter for the manager was yellow cards for Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez that will see both suspended for the trip to North London. Still, a brace each for struggling forward men Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee will at least have given the new boss something to smile about ahead of this crunch game.

It seems to have been a recurring theme this season, and, once again, Arsenal have injury worries in a number of areas ahead of the visit of United. Mikel Merino, Thomas Partey and Gabriel are all doubts, but the latter seems more likely to be involved than not.

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Arsenal vs Manchester United odds

Venue: Emirates Stadium — London
Time: 8:15 p.m. GMT (3:15 p.m. ET), Wednesday

Form guide (league only)

Arsenal: 7-4-2, 25 points (2nd); W-W-D-L-D
Manchester United: 5-4-4, 19 points (9th); W-D-W-D-L

Match prediction

Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United

The results have picked up under Ruud van Nistelrooy and Amorim, but this United squad is not a quick fix and performances are still a long way short of spectacular. Arsenal’s brief dip in form seems to have abated, and they should be able to make it eight wins out of 10 at home against this opposition.