Arsenal will host Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in a highly anticipated match between two Premier League top-four contenders.
Unlike their Manchester-based rivals, Arsenal are yet to taste defeat this season and have secured seven points from a possible nine in their opening three Premier League fixtures, and go into this fixture as the favourites.
Their impressive start to the campaign has cemented their position as a leading contender for a top-four finish, as previously predicted in our Arsenal season preview.
However, the upcoming clash against Man United, which has delivered plenty of talking points in the past, will be their toughest test thus far.
Last weekend, Arteta cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as his side were held to a 2-2 draw by cross-city rivals Fulham, who were reduced to ten men in the latter stages of the encounter.
The Gunners will feel they deserved a win on home soil, considering they recorded a 3.20 xG against Fulham’s 0.56 xG, but they were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal.
Arteta will need his side to be more clinical in front of goal when Man United come visiting, but they will fancy their chances of returning to winning ways, given that they have not lost a home game against the Red Devils since the start of December 2017.
To further boost the confidence of the Arsenal supporters, their side have only dropped points against Man United once in their last five meetings at the Emirates (W4, D1).
Arsenal’s home form also helps their cause, bearing in mind that they have lost just one of their last 11 games on home soil dating back to last season (W7, D3).
Transfers to expect before Friday’s deadline
The Gunners seem to have completed their business on the transfer market after a £200 million-plus outlay on Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice, and David Raya.
While there may be another addition to Arteta’s side before the deadline, the transfer talk surrounding the Gunners suggests that they are mainly prioritizing outgoing deals for the remainder of the transfer window.
Rob Holding to Luton Town
After seven years on Arsenal’s payroll, it appears Holding’s time at the Emirates has run its course, with the Englishman poised for a summer exit amid concrete interest from the likes of Luton Town and Besiktas.
Folarin Balogun – AS Monaco
Balogun’s transfer to AS Monaco is expected to be announced later this week, after Arsenal had to settle for a deal worth £34m, despite initially holding out for a £50m fee.
Nuno Tavares – Nottingham Forest
Tavares has been linked with a move to Aston Villa this summer, but Forest seems to have leapfrogged their Premier League counterparts in the race for the out-of-favour defender.
Nicolas Pepe – Saudi Pro League
Pepe looks primed to be the latest Europe-based star set for a move to Saudi Arabia amid reports an unnamed Saudi Pro League club is keen to lure the Arsenal flop to the Middle East.
His departure is another one to watch out for, as the Gunners will be more than happy to cut him loose this summer.
