The summer break is already over, and the 2025/26 season is underway. The English Premier League looks set for a thrilling campaign, for which we should get a nice teaser when Manchester United and Arsenal face off at prime time on Sunday.
By Neel Shelat
Shiny new forwards on both sides
Both Manchester United and Arsenal have spent close to £200 million on transfer fees this summer, making some big moves in the process.
The Red Devils have set about revamping their entire front line, spending north of £60m on each of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and most recently, Benjamin Šeško. While they are all quality forwards, many have questioned United’s allocation of resources at a time of cost-cuts and clear needs in other areas of the squad. So, each of the trio will be under pressure to deliver from the get-go.
Arsenal took a fair while to decide their summer striker signing, eventually landing on Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedish striker has returned to England on the back of an incredible 54-goal season with Sporting, but the big question is how his qualities will translate to the Premier League. Besides him, the Gunners also spent around £50m on Noni Madueke.
Will United’s unchanged midfield hold them back?
Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Carlos Baleba, who Brighton value at a nine-digit fee. The Red Devils might just be tempted to break their transfer record on him as his arrival would address a gaping hole in the squad in defensive midfield.
For the moment, though, Manuel Ugarte is expected to partner Bruno Fernandes in the middle of the park. The former’s lack of security on the ball and the captain’s risk-taking nature, in addition to other defensive absences, make it quite likely that United will have trouble building out from the back and establishing control in this game.
A need for improved intent from Arsenal
Arsenal are expected to be locked in a three-way title race with Liverpool and Manchester City. Both of their rivals are expected to look quite different from last season after some big changes in the summer, but the Gunners have preserved the core of their squad and only added a couple of additional pieces.
Continuity may well give them an edge, but they will need to seize the initiative to make the most of it. Mikel Arteta’s side were only sixth in the league for expected goals last term, at least partly due to excessively cautious tactics.
Fans will hope that the new forwards and added security in midfield (thanks to the arrival of Martín Zubimendi) embolden the side a bit more.
Arsenal aiming to extend head-to-head unbeaten streak
Although Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United last season, that game went down as a draw in the record books since it was decided on penalties. As a result, the Gunners are (sort of) on a six-game head-to-head unbeaten streak, one away from the fixture record in the Premier League era.
They have also won four and drawn one in the last five league meetings, matching their best run against United in the competition.
Prediction
Arsenal are the favourites for good reason, so a relatively comfortable win is pretty likely.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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