Match Preview Manchester United vs Arsenal Premier League Game Week 1

Explore Coral’s detailed game week one match preview for Manchester United vs Arsenal in the Premier League. Stats, odds, predictions, and line-ups for the 16:30 BST kick off on Sunday, 17 August 2025 from Old Trafford.

Fixture: Manchester United vs Arsenal

Date: Sunday, 17 August 2025

Kick-off: 16:30 BST

Venue: Old Trafford

Manchester United, under Rúben Amorim, aim to recover from a 15th-place finish in 2024/25 (44 goals scored) with a rebuilt squad featuring Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Šeško. Their pre-season was mixed (0-2-1), with draws against Everton (2-2) and Fiorentina (1-1, 5-4 pens), but a 1-4 loss to Bournemouth exposed defensive concerns. Arsenal, after a strong 2nd-place finish in 2024/25 (74 points, 69 goals), had a challenging pre-season (0-2-1), with a loss to Tottenham (0-1) and draws against Villarreal (2-3, 3-2 pens) and Athletic Club (3-0, 3-0 pens). New signing Viktor Gyökeres, who made an encouraging debut against Villarreal with two shots and strong movement, adds striker depth, though his fitness is still building.

At Old Trafford, United’s attacking reinforcements (Mbeumo, Šeško) and home advantage could challenge Arsenal’s defense (35 goals conceded in 2024/25). Arsenal’s creativity, led by Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka, will test United’s backline, but United’s pre-season resilience suggests a narrow win in a tight contest.

Match Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal

Arsenal’s pre-season was challenging (0-2-1), with a 0-1 loss to Tottenham and draws against Villarreal (2-3, 3-2 pens) and Athletic Club (3-0, 3-0 pens), showing resilience but no wins. New signing Viktor Gyökeres made his first start against Villarreal on August 6, playing 63 minutes with two shots (one blocked, one saved) and earning praise from Mikel Arteta for his movement, though fitness remains a work in progress. The 4-3-3 under Mikel Arteta relies on Bukayo Saka (10 goals) and Martin Ødegaard (15 assists) to drive the attack, with defensive solidity (35 goals conceded in 2024/25) key against United’s new forwards.

Recent Pre-Season Results:

• Draw: 3-0 (3-0 pens) vs Athletic Club (N)

• Draw: 2-3 (3-2 pens) vs Villarreal (N)

• Loss: 0-1 vs Tottenham (N)

Arsenal’s pre-season was strong (4-1-0), with wins over Leyton Orient (2-0, Gabriel Martinelli, Ethan Nwaneri), Bournemouth (2-1, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard), Bayer Leverkusen (4-1, Bukayo Saka, Havertz, Martinelli, Noni Madueke), and Sevilla (3-0, Saka, Ødegaard, Havertz). A draw with Lyon (2-2, 4-3 pens) showed resilience. Mikel Arteta’s 4-3-3 relies on Saka (10 goals) and Ødegaard (15 assists) to drive the attack, with defensive solidity (35 goals conceded in 2024/25) key against United’s new forwards.

Recent Pre-Season Results:

• Win: 3-0 vs Sevilla (H)

• Draw: 2-2 (4-3 pens) vs Lyon (H)

• Win: 4-1 vs Bayer Leverkusen (H)

Manchester United and Arsenal have a storied rivalry, with Arsenal edging recent encounters (three wins, two draws in the last five Premier League meetings).

Recent Premier League Results:

• Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal (09 Mar 2025)

• Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United (12 Jan 2025)

• Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United (04 Dec 2024)

• Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal (12 May 2024)

• Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United (03 Sep 2023)

• Joshua Zirkzee (Knock, Doubtful)

• Lisandro Martinez (Knee),

• Noussair Mazraoui (Knock, Doubtful)

• Gabriel Jesus (Knee)

Starting XI: Onana, de Ligt, Heaven, Yoro, Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Diallo, Mbeumo, Cunha, Šeško

Manchester United’s lineup under Rúben Amorim integrates new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Bruno Fernandes (15 assists in 2024/25) orchestrates play, with Mbeumo supporting Benjamin Šeško, replacing the out-of-form Rasmus Højlund (1 goal in 11 games). The 3-4-2-1 emphasises midfield control and quick transitions to challenge Arsenal’s defence.

Starting XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Magalhães, Timber, Merino, Rice, Ødegaard, Saka, Gyökeres, Martinelli

Arsenal’s line-up under Mikel Arteta features Viktor Gyökeres as the new striker following his promising Villarreal debut (63 minutes, two shots), William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães provide defensive solidity, while Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard (15 assists in 2024/25) control midfield. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli offer wing pace. The 4-3-3 focuses on possession and exploiting United’s defensive vulnerabilities.

• Bruno Fernandes vs Declan Rice: Fernandes’ creativity meets Rice’s defensive tenacity in a pivotal midfield duel.

• Amad Diallo vs Ben White: Diallo’s dribbling and pace test White’s positioning.

• Benjamin Šeško (Manchester United): His integration as a new signing could unlock Arsenal’s defence.

• Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal): His debut promise and movement could challenge United’s backline.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.