Arsenal and Manchester United are set to square off in a pre-season friendly as they gear up for the upcoming Premier League season.
The highly anticipated match is scheduled for Sunday at 1 AM UK time.
Arsenal’s Pre-Season Plans
Under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal plans to play three matches in the United States before heading back to London.
After finishing second to Manchester City in the previous Premier League season, the Gunners are eager to maintain their momentum and build on their strong performance.
These pre-season games are crucial for Arsenal as they aim to fine-tune their squad and strategies ahead of the new season.
Manchester United’s Pre-Season Plans
Manchester United, led by Erik ten Hag, also has three pre-season fixtures lined up in the USA.
The Red Devils are focusing on carrying forward the positive momentum from their last season, where they secured a Europa League spot by defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup.
These games are vital for Manchester United as they look to integrate new players and develop their tactical approach under Ten Hag’s leadership.
Team News and Injuries
For Arsenal, there are some notable absences.
Right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss the tour due to a knee injury, with the severity still unclear, which puts his availability for the start of the new season in question.
Additionally, key players like Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale, David Raya, and William Saliba are not part of the 26-man squad as they are resting after participating in Euro 2024.
Despite these absences, Arsenal fans can expect to see Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz join the team before the match.
However, left-back Kieran Tierney is sidelined with a hamstring injury, adding to the team’s concerns.
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s manager Erik ten Hag faced the initial challenge of missing five key players for a recent match against Rangers.
However, Anthony, Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, and Victor Lindelof have returned to training ahead of their USA tour.
Their return boosts United’s preparations, providing more options for Ten Hag as he continues to develop the team’s strategies and line-ups.
Predicted Lineups
Arsenal is anticipated to field a 4-3-3 formation with Hein as the goalkeeper; White, Timber, Kiwior, and Zinchenko in defense; Odegaard, Partey, and Smith Rowe in the midfield; and Vieira, Nketiah, and Jesus leading the attack.
This setup highlights Arteta’s focus on a balanced approach, combining defensive solidity with attacking prowess.
Conversely, Manchester United is likely to adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation featuring Onana in goal; Ogunneye, Fish, Evans, and Amass in defense; Casemiro, Mount, and McTominay in the midfield; and Antony, Wheatley, and Rashford upfront.
This formation underscores Ten Hag’s emphasis on midfield control and offensive versatility.
This friendly match will serve as a crucial test for both teams as they finalize their preparations for the new season.
It offers an opportunity to evaluate new signings, experiment with tactical adjustments, and gain valuable match fitness.
For Arsenal and Manchester United, this encounter is not just about getting ready for the season but also about making a statement of intent for the challenges ahead.
