Kicking off at 11:30 am ET (8:30 am PT) on Sunday, January 22, Arsenal host Manchester United in what looks to be the biggest test of Mikel Arteta’s Premier League title charge to date.
With only one loss on the record, it makes sense that the Gunners come into this game as the -109 favourites. However, it was at Old Trafford that those three points were dropped.
After a rocky start to the season under new boss Erik ten Hag, United have gone on a thunderous run of four consecutive league wins since returning from the World Cup break.
The Red Devils have to play Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, but they should be able to carry the confidence gained from beating local rivals Manchester City 2-1 into this match at the Emirates.
In this preview for the colossal Premier League fixture, we’ll be examining how the teams square up, key betting lines to watch, and our picks and predictions for Arsenal vs Man United.
Best Arsenal vs Man United Odds (January 22)
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Moneyline: Arsenal -109, Tie +260, Man United +265
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Spread: Man United (1) -120
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2.5 Goals: Over 2.5 -133
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Moneyline BTTS: Arsenal (Yes) +255, United (Yes) +530
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39.5 Booking Points: Over 39.5 -133
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Anytime Goalscorer: Marcus Rashford +200, Bukayo Saka +260, Wout Weghorst +240
Which Team Will Win Arsenal vs Man United?
Sitting eight points clear atop the Premier League and undefeated in 12 league games, Arsenal come into this game as the -109 favourites.
The Gunners haven’t lost since they last met Manchester United in the Premier League, which resulted in a 3-1 defeat on the road.
In that game, debutant Antony fired United ahead after a perfect pass from Marcus Rashford across the box gave the Brazilian an angle on Aaron Ramsdale’s far post.
Bukayo Saka poached a goal to make it 1-1 after some calamitous defending from United, but Rashford would go on to net two of his own to win the game for the home side.
Both teams have come a long way since that September meet, especially Ten Hag’s Red Devils, but Arsenal get the edge for playing host in the January 22 meet.
Arteta’s yet to lose to United at the Emirates, winning 2-0, tying 0-0, and winning 3-1. Each of the last three games between these two have seen the winning side score three goals.
How Many Bookings Will There Be in Arsenal vs Man United?
Arsenal vs Man United is a notoriously heated game, making it a must-watch game for Premier League fans. We’re expecting multiple bookings to come out of the ref’s pocket.
Coming into the game, Manchester United were dealing out the third-highest number of fouls in the Premier League at 11.8 fouls per game. Arsenal ranked 12th with a more modest 10.4 per game.
Equally, Arsenal stand as the fourth most fouled team in the Premier League at 11.7 per game, while United are the least fouled outright, only taking 7.1 fouls per game.
In the September game, six bookings were handed out, and both teams have at least four players with a minimum of four yellow cards in the league already this season. So, expect plenty of bookings in this game, too.
What it means ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0Ujipm8RFE
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 15, 2023
Who Will Score in the Arsenal vs Man United Game?
The man in form right now is Marcus Rashford, who not only scored twice against Arsenal earlier in the season but returned from the World Cup break to score a goal in each of the following four games.
He’s been electric, getting into all of the right areas and making the most of high defensive lines to get slipped through on goal by United’s playmakers.
The hosts have relied on a scoring-by-committee approach this season, especially since losing Gabriel Jesus to an injury in Qatar.
So far, Arsenal have managed perfectly well with this approach, seeing Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Ødegaard, Eddie Nketiah, and Saka get amongst the goals.
Of those attackers, Saka looks to be in the best position to score here. His place on the right wing arguably sets him up against United’s weaker defender in Tyrell Malacia, if Luke Shaw maintains his centre-back role.
Saka has scored twice and set one up in his last four league games. The only game in which he didn’t get involved in the scoring ended 0-0 against Newcastle United.
💥 @MarcusRashford bagged our last away goal...
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 17, 2023
Who are you backing to score our next one? 🤔⚽️#MUFC || #CRYMUN
Will Wout Weghorst Play in Arsenal vs Man United?
United’s pursuit of Wout Weghorst recently came to fruition, putting him in line to get on the field against the Gunners and wreak havoc.
The towering 1.97m Dutchman was enjoying a good spell with Turkish Süper Lig club Beşiktaş to start the season, scoring nine goals in 18 games, and he scored twice as a substitute against Argentina at the World Cup.
Now on loan to United from Burnley, if Ten Hag does deploy Weghorst, it’d likely be from the bench as he only recently joined, and the forwards have been playing well.
📩 Inbox (1)
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 17, 2023
🤳 Wout Weghorst#MUFC pic.twitter.com/bclbEYYcM7
Predictions and Picks for Arsenal vs Man United
As hosts with an unbeaten record against Manchester United at the Emirates under Arteta, Arsenal are the favourites at -109 to win the game in the soccer betting, and it’s tough to argue against that tag.
This is still predicted to be a heated and likely close game, however, and United are in great form. So, taking Manchester United (1) on the spread at -120 will be a popular pick for this game.
Enhancing the odds for Arsenal a bit, both teams have been scoring for fun, and the Gunners have conceded in six of their eight home league games, making Arsenal to win and both teams to score at +255 appealing.
As this fixture is notorious for raining down bookings, taking the booking points line of 39.5 at -133 is also a top pick in this prediction. That only requires four yellow cards, which does seem a bit modest.
Marcus Rashford will almost certainly get his chances to score and is at +200 to do so.
Along with him, Saka at +260 to net for Arsenal will have its suitors, and some will have their fingers crossed for Weghorst to come on, bully the Arsenal centre-backs, and score at +240 anytime (or +650 to score last).
😍 A message from our Player of the Month 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 16, 2023
🤳 @BukayoSaka87 pic.twitter.com/c0ssPgy902
- Prediction: Arsenal to win, both teams to score, and over 39.5 booking points.
Arsenal vs Man United is invariably a great game, and while there’s bound to be plenty of goals, the Gunners look primed to move a bit closer to the title in this one.
That said, there’s the Weghorst wild card to play now…
*Credit for all images in this article belongs to AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 19th January 2023
