Premier League team news and prediction: Arsenal vs Man Utd

Arsenal welcome Manchester United to the Emirates on Saturday evening in the weekend's blockbuster clash in the Premier League. 

Arsenal are looking to maintain their good form of late, which has seen them win five of their last six league matches. United, meanwhile, will be aiming to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to table footers Sheffield United on Wednesday night. 

Ahead of this huge Premier League clash, we have all your need-to-know matchday information in one place, including where you can watch the game, team news, probable XIs and match prediction. 

When is kick off? 

Sunday 30th January, 17:30, GMT 

Where is the match? 

Emirates Stadium, London 

Where can I watch it? 

Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Main Event 

Form Guide 

Arsenal have won more league games in their last six matches (5) than they had their previous 14 (4). One of those wins did come against Manchester United, but pre-Christmas, Mikel Arteta must have been fearing for his job. Yet the Spaniard has overseen a complete u-turn in performances and Arsenal now come into the weekend's action as one of the form teams. Indeed, had the Premier League season started on Boxing Day, then they'd be second to Manchester City with 16 points to their name. 

Manchester United suffered their first league defence since the aforementioned 1-0 defeat to Arsenal when they fell to a 2-1 loss to Sheffield United on Wednesday night, ending a 13-game unbeaten run in the process. Coupled with Manchester City's 5-0 win at West Brom, United forfeited top spot, but can at least call upon a superb away record when they travel to the Emirates as they seek to return to winning ways. United are unbeaten in their last 17 away games, the longest run in Europe's top five leagues, and it's been 377 days since they last lost on the road. 

Team News 

Arsenal have confirmed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is still absent for personal reasons for the welcome of Manchester United. Elsewhere Pablo Mari is certainly out, along with Dani Ceballos, but Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey are available for selection. Meanwhile Kieran Tierney will face a late fitness test, while Martin Odegaard could make his Arsenal debut after arriving on loan from Real Madrid in the week. 

Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones are Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's only confirmed absentees, though neither would have started at the Emirates even if fit. Brandon Williams is to be assessed, but won't have started ahead of Luke Shaw or Alex Telles at left-back. Eric Bailly missed the defeat to Sheffield United, however should be fine to make the squad. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to make some personnel changes to his XI with Edinson Cavani, Shaw, Fred and Scott McTominay set to return. 

Probable XIs 

Arsenal (4231) - Leno; Soares, Holding, Luiz, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Smith Rowe, Pepe; Lacazette

Man Utd (4231) - De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, McTominay; Rashford, Fernandes, Pogba; Cavani

Key Battle - Emile Smith Rowe vs Bruno Fernandes

"I look up to Bruno Fernandes as a player. His stats are crazy!" Emile Smith Rowe said earlier this month. The 'Croydon De Bruyne' has the chance to get the better of the Manchester United talisman at the Emirates this evening with Arsenal benefitting from his inclusion in the first team. With a WhoScored rating of 7.07, Smith Rowe is Arsenal's best rated player in the Premier League this season and has more assists in league and European competition (5) than any other Gunners player despite registering just 594 minutes of action across the two competitions in 2020/21.

Bruno Fernandes' form has tailed off of late, with his only league goal in 2021 coming in the 2-1 win over Aston Villa on New Year's Day. He came off the bench to bag a fine winner in the 3-2 FA Cup win against Liverpool and Fernandes will be looking to get back to top form, starting with the trip to Arsenal. The 26-year-old's worst rated Premier League performance came in the 1-0 defeat to the Gunners (6.33) back in November, so he'll be keen to make amends.

Scoreline Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Man Utd