Three league wins on the bounce – the first time they’ve achieved that feat since December – propelled the Red Devils into the top five, with a noticeable uplift in performance levels and defensive quality.
Manchester United
The Stretford End faithful must have expected another torrid season when Manchester United picked up back-to-back losses to commence the Erik ten Hag era, consequently finding themselves bottom after two game weeks. However, three league wins on the bounce – the first time they’ve achieved that feat since December – propelled the Red Devils into the top five, with a noticeable uplift in performance levels and defensive quality. Sustaining these positive elements is of paramount importance for Ten Hag, with what has historically proven to be quite a mentally fragile squad. What better way to broadcast their recent improvements than against an in-form Arsenal side at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag will be attentive to his side’s abject clean sheet record at the Theatre of Dreams – keeping just one in their previous seven league games – so channelling this new-found defensive solidity should be prioritised if United are to secure a positive result against Mikel Arteta’s men.
Arsenal
It’s been 18 years since Arsenal last won their opening five Premier League fixtures, a stark contrast to last season, where they started the campaign with three defeats and having conceded nine goals. Arteta’s revitalised side are manufacturing some potent attacking sequences from the first whistle, netting the opening goal in four of their first five contests. A trip to Old Trafford, where the Gunners have won only once in their previous 15 visits, may well be a conclusive indicator as to the current whereabouts of this squad’s quality, especially after what has been an arguably favourable run of fixtures to start their campaign. They can make a bit of history if they can continue their winning trend, though, as Arsenal have never previously secured six successive opening Premier League victories.
Winger Jadon Sancho seems to be finally finding his feet at United, with both his Premier League goals this season serving as the game’s opener. Meanwhile, United are just one of two current Premier League teams that the invigorated Gabriel Jesus has played against but not scored – he’ll be determined to add to his tally of three for the season against his old Manchester rivals. Seven of Arsenal’s last nine Premier League away fixtures have seen only one side score.