Arsenal vs Man Utd pre-season friendly preview with team news and prediction

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Arsenal continue their pre-season preparations when they take on Premier League rivals Manchester United in California on Saturday night.

The Gunners kicked-off their summer tour of the US with a hard fought 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Wednesday night. Fabio Vieira opened the scoring for Arsenal with a well taken volley before Antoine Semenyo levelled things up for the Cherries in the 73rd minute. Youngster Karl Hein was the hero in the penalty shoot-out, saving twice as Arsenal won 5-4.

Mikel Arteta was without several key first team players with the likes of David Raya, Aaron Ramsdale, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Declan Rice, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka still enjoying some well-earned time off following their exploits with their nations this summer. A number of youngsters have been taken on the US tour and featured against Bournemouth. They will also play a part against Man Utd this weekend before the Gunners take on Liverpool in Philadelphia next week.

Several big guns are unlikely to link-up with the squad before they return to London but they will be available for Arsenal’s friendly against Bayer Leverkusen on August 7th. The full squad should also be available for the Emirates Cup clash against Lyon ahead of their Premier League opener with Wolves on August 17th.

It’s been a quiet summer so far in the transfer market for Arsenal as the only significant piece of business has been the permanent arrival of David Raya after the Londoners triggered a permanent move following a successful loan from Brentford. However, Riccardo Calafiori is expected to arrive in a £42m deal from Bologna which could see Jacub Kiwior depart. Emile Smith Rowe is also close to joining Fulham in a £35m deal while Eddie Nketiah is being strongly linked with Marseille so we should see things pick up over the coming weeks.

As for Man Utd, they have already played twice this summer as they step-up their pre-season preparations in the US. The Red Devils lost their opening pre-season game 1-0 to Rosenborg before beating Rangers 2-0 on Saturday.

United will now face a much sterner test when they take on last years Premier League runners-up, Arsenal. The highly-anticipated game is expected to attract a large crowd and fans can still buy Arsenal and Manchester United tickets at reputable resellers such as Seatsnet.com. After playing Arsenal, Erik ten Hag’s men will then take on Real Betis and Liverpool before heading back to the UK to face Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 10th.

Man Utd entertain Fulham on the opening weekend of the new season and ten Hag will hope to have some new signings available. Striker Joshua Kirkzee has joined from Bologna while Leny Yoro has been signed from Lille to strengthen their defence. United are working on other deals so we could see one or two new faces before the season kicks off next month.

Team news

Arsenal will be without the likes of Raya, Ramsdale, Saliba, Rice and Saka as they continue to enjoy a break following their involvement in the latter stages of Euro 2024. However, Gabriel, Martinelli and Havertz are set to link up with the squad before this match so they could feature at some point.

Takehiro Tomiyasu has been ruled out with a muscle injury so he’s not travelled with the squad to the US. Kieran Tierney has also been left back in London to recover from an injury issue while Smith Rowe isn’t likely to be involved as he nears a move to Fulham.

Karl Hein is set to continue in goal while the likes of Martin Odegaard, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Jorginho, Jurrien Timber, Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko are all set to feature.

Man Utd are expected to field new signing Yoro once again after he made an impressive debut against Rangers. However, fellow new arrival Zirkzee isn’t available yet as he won’t link up with his new team mates until after their US tour.

Tyrell Malacia is on the sidelines with a knock while the likes of Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez, Facundo Pellistri and Luke Shaw are still on holiday following their international exploits.

Casemiro, Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford are in-line to start against Arsenal while Amad Diallo could keep his place after impressing against Rangers.

Possible line-ups

Arsenal will field the inexperienced Hein in goal in the absence of Raya and Ramsdale but otherwise it should be a strong eleven. Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Jacub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko should make up the back four with Thomas Partey alongside Jorginho in midfield.

Odegaard will captain the Gunners once again with Gabriel Jesus leading the line up front. Leandro Trossard should start on the flank with Fabio Vieira keeping his place after a solid display against Bournemouth.

As for United, Andre Onana will start in goal once again while Aaron Wan-Bissaka should start at right-back despite on-going links with a move away from the club this summer.

Yoro could be partnered by Jonny Evans in defence with youngster Harry Amass starting at left-back. Casemiro could be partnered by Scott McTominay and Mason Mount in midfield with Christian Eriksen also an option.

Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford could support Rasmus Hojlund in attack for Man Utd. Jadon Sancho will also hope to feature as he looks to resurrect his Man Utd career after falling out with ten Hag last season.

Arsenal XI: Hein; White, Timber, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Partey, Jorginho, Odegaard; Vieira, Jesus, Trossard

Manchester United XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Yoro, Evans, Amass; Casemiro, McTominay, Mount; Amad, Hojlund, Rashford

Prediction

Man Utd may be slightly ahead in their pre-season preparations having played one extra game compared to Arsenal but this should still be a closely fought game between the two Premier League giants.

It’s always difficult to predict pre-season friendlies, especially when so many key players are missing for both teams, but Arteta and Ten Hag will still be able to field strong line-ups full of experience.

The managers will hope to use this game to build fitness and try out some tactical tweaks, but this should still be a competitive game given the history between the two sides. We’re expecting a close game which could end in a score draw.

Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd

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