Just days after their victory over rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby, Arsenal will have another big game as they travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
It’s December, which means the Premier League games are coming thick and fast, with the Gunners looking to extend their unbeaten run to 20 across all competitions while United will want to bounce back from a poor performance against Southampton.
Read on for Manchester United v Arsenal live stream options, team news, predicted XIs, stats and TV channel info.
When is Manchester United vs Arsenal?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Old Trafford
Date: Wednesday, 5 December
Kick-off: 8:00 PM GMT
Match preview
Manchester United and Arsenal had vastly different experiences in the Premier League at the weekend, but will both be looking for a win against old rivals.
Jose Mourinho’s United drew 2-2 with Southampton, a result which looks bad enough on its own. But the Red Devils had to come from two goals down to salvage a draw against the team currently 18th in the Premier League, managed by Mark Hughes, who has since lost his job.
Meanwhile, Arsenal continued to prove their mettle under Unai Emery, coming from 2-1 down to beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 at the Emirates to leapfrog their bitter rivals in the table.
The win extended Arsenal’s unbeaten run to 19 across all competitions, since the Gunners started the campaign off with back-to-back defeats against Manchester City and Chelsea.
For the large part of his Premier League career, Mourinho has got the better of Arsenal, losing just once in 15 league meetings against the Gunners when they were managed by Arsene Wenger.
And the Portuguese has a similarly good record against his new opponent in their rivalry, currently unbeaten in his five games against Emery, with four wins and a draw all coming during their respective spells at Real Madrid and Valencia.
Where can I watch live?
United’s game against Arsenal can be viewed by UK residents on BT Sport 1, channel 413 on Sky and channel 527, for Virgin Media users. BT Sport subscribers can also watch the game online at sport.bt.com and via their BT Sport app.
How much longer can Mourinho last?
Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Southampton may have brought the end of Mark Hughes’ managerial stint on the south coast, but it also raised questions about Jose Mourinho’s job security. The Red Devils have been unspectacular this season and look a shadow of the side who fought their way to second in the Premier League last year.
Mourinho is now in his third season with United, the period things have been known to go wrong for the Portuguese, and at the moment it doesn’t look like he will be there much longer, especially with former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane reportedly ready to return to action.
When will Arsenal’s unbeaten run end?
Not many people would have expected Arsenal to be in their current position so soon under a new manager, especially after their losing start to the season. But Emery has the Gunners playing good football and showing fight when things are against them, as they did on Sunday against Spurs. Wednesday’s game at Old Trafford is the second of nine games during December for Arsenal across all competitions.
After United, Arsenal face Huddersfield Town, Qarabag and Southampton before a second home game against Spurs in the Carabao Cup. Then, as the festive fixture list kicks in the Gunners face Burnley, Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool and Fulham all within 10 days.
Will United’s top four hopes be over with a defeat?
Speaking in November ahead of United’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, Mourinho set lofty expectations of reaching the top four before the end of 2018. The Red Devils drew that game and followed it up with another stalemate at St. Mary’s, keeping them eight points behind fourth-placed Arsenal. And, given their upcoming fixtures, the Red Devils could be further away come New Year’s Day.
After facing Arsenal, United welcome Fulham to Old Trafford before taking on rivals Liverpool at Anfield on December 16. Then, United face Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town and Bournemouth before the year is up – games they could struggle with given past form.
Head-to-head
For years this was the rivalry between two sides vying for the Premier League title and though neither are in that position now, the game between Manchester United and Arsenal still ignites sparks.
United have the upper hand in this fixture, winning 98 across all competitions to Arsenal’s 82, including the last two in the Premier League.
Manchester United wins: 98 Draws: 47 Arsenal wins: 82
Team news
Having already bemoaned United’s lack of “mad dogs”, Mourinho looks set to have selection problems ahead of Wednesday’s game. Ashley Young picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Southampton at the weekend so misses the game through suspension, while Luke Shaw could also miss out through injury. Victor Lindelof and Alexis Sanchez are also out, though Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly could return.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have no new injury problems and could welcome Nacho Monreal and Laurent Koscielny back into the matchday squad with the pair set to be assessed before the trip. Mesut Ozil missed the win over Spurs through a back injury and Emery has admitted he may not be fit in time.
“I said yesterday he’s had backache since last Tuesday,” he told reporters on Monday.
“He couldn’t play in Kiev or yesterday. At the moment, I don’t know if he can play in Manchester.
“Today he was working alone, I don’t know if he’s okay for Wednesday.”
Predicted Manchester United XI: De Gea; Dalot, Matic, Jones, Rojo; Mata, Herrera, Pogba; Martial, Lukaku, Rashford.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Mustafi, Sokratis, Kolasinac; Xhaka, Torreira; Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Aubameyang.
Squawka Prediction
Mourinho sides are usually so good at disrupting teams on good runs but they just don’t look they have it in them this season to stop Arsenal. 1-2.
Predictions & Betting Tips
Get the BetBull sign-up offer HERE – Ts&Cs apply. +18 only. BeGambleAware.org
1. Arsenal to win @ 2/1
Arsenal don’t have the best record against United and Emery does not have the best record against Mourinho.
But these records are made to be broken and, going on current form and performances, Wednesday’s game can only go one way.
United were poor against Southampton and would have been more than 2-0 down if up against a better team, while Arsenal showed their mental strength to come from behind against Spurs, having gone in at half-time 2-1 down.
Key Stat: Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 19 games across all competitions.
Tip: Arsenal to win @ 2/1 with BetBull – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (03/12/2018, 11:30)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
2. Both teams to score @ 1/2
Manchester United had one of the best defences in the Premier League last season but are a shadow of their former selves.
The Red Devils have already conceded 23 goals this season while Arsenal have not fared much better letting in 18 in their 14 games so far.
To add to this, the fixture is known for its goals, with both sides scoring in seven of the past 10 meetings between United and Arsenal.
Key Stat: Arsenal and Manchester United have kept just two clean sheets each in the Premier League this season.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 1/2 with BetBull – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (03/12/2018, 11:30)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
3. Half-time draw @ 11/10
Despite their impressive run in the Premier League, Arsenal are yet to shake off their reputation as being slow starters.
Going in 2-1 down at the break against Spurs on Sunday, the Gunners are still awaiting a half-time lead in the Premier League.
Of Arsenal’s 14 Premier League games so far, the Gunners have gone in at half-time level with their opponents on 10 occasions and behind on the other four.
Key Stat: Arsenal are one of two teams yet to go into half-time leading, alongside Cardiff City.
Tip: Half-time draw @ 11/10 with BetBull – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (03/12/2018, 11:30)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
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