Arsenal-Manchester United Preview

Erik ten Hag hailed the progress Manchester United have made in their defensive work after recording three successive victories.

United continued their recovery from a dismal start to Ten Hag's tenure on Thursday, with Jadon Sancho's goal seeing off Leicester City 1-0. They last posted three successive league wins in December 2021.

Ten Hag's team have also kept back-to-back clean sheets, but while the Dutchman is pleased with their defensive improvements, he knows there is still work to be done.

"I have seen some good stuff, you are taking about that. I see structures are coming, we are constructing and that's good to see," he said ahead of Sunday's clash with old foes Arsenal. "We have to do that and improve from game to game, and that means work on the training ground, on the video, and in the games.

"Collectively, I see the whole team is defending and that makes it more easy for our defenders, but I think what they do well is they cooperate, they do it together and they support each other. They have a good performance and that makes it hard for the opposition to create chances, I think that's what we see in this moment."

Arsenal, meanwhile, are dealing with an early season injury crisis, with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny both facing long spells out, while Oleksandr Zinchenko has missed the last two matches.

That led to Arsenal attempting to sign Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz on Thursday, but they had three offers rejected before the transfer window closed.

"We had to react. We tried, but we have to bring in the right player for the team and for the club but didn't manage to do that," Mikel Arteta said.

"It's the team we have. For me, it's the best squad and team I have available. There is nothing else we can do."

Manchester United – Cristiano Ronaldo

Each of Ronaldo's last three appearances have been as a substitute, the first time since December 2005 he has played three consecutive games from the bench in his club career. However, he has a fine record against Arsenal, scoring seven goals in his last eight games against the Gunners in all competitions.

Arsenal – Gabriel Jesus

United are one of just three sides Jesus has faced in the Premier League but not scored against, along with Cardiff City and Brentford. The Brazil forward has played 454 minutes in nine games against the Red Devils.

- Arsenal have won just one of their last 15 Premier League away games against Man Utd (D5 L9), picking up a 1-0 victory in November 2020.

- Arsenal have lost more Premier League away games against Manchester United than they have vs any other opponent (17), while only at Anfield (69) have they conceded more away goals than at Old Trafford (49).

- United have kept just one clean sheet in their last 16 Premier League meetings with Arsenal, a goalless draw at Emirates Stadium in January 2021. At home, they've conceded in their last eight against the Gunners since a 1-0 win in November 2013.

- Arsenal have won both of their Premier League away games so far this season, winning 2-0 at Crystal Palace and 3-0 at Bournemouth. They've not won each of their first three on the road since 2013-14, while only once in their entire history have they kept a clean sheet in their first three away league games (W2 D1 under Bruce Rioch in 1995-96).

- United have won just one of their last eight Premier League games against Arsenal (D3 L4), though it was in this exact fixture last season (3-2).

Updated September 2, 2022