Arsenal vs Manchester United Preview: Casemiro’s Farewell Meets Carrick’s Revival at the Emirates

The Emirates Stadium welcomes back interim boss Michael Carrick on Sunday afternoon as his Manchester United side take on top-of-the-table Arsenal in a heavyweight Premier League clash.

The Gunners remain unbeaten at home this season, dropping points only in draws against Manchester City and Liverpool. Mikel Arteta’s side sit comfortably at the summit of the Premier League, in the time of writing this preview Arsenal current hold a four-point cushion over Manchester City who beat wolves yesterday and a seven-point gap over Aston Villa shot sit 3rd.

Yet despite recent cup success including a composed 3–1 Champions League victory away at Inter Milan, Arsenal’s league form has shown signs of vulnerability. Back-to-back 0–0 draws in the Premier League mark the first time since the 2012/13 season opener that the Gunners have failed to score in consecutive league matches. Draws against an out-of-form Liverpool side and relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest have left a sense of missed opportunity, particularly with title rivals faltering elsewhere.

That slight dip could offer encouragement to Sunday’s visitors.

Manchester United arrive buoyed by a crucial and convincing 2–0 derby win over Manchester City last weekend, a result that lifted them to fifth in the table and extended Carrick’s unbeaten run as interim manager. More importantly than the result was the performance. Bruno Fernandes dictated proceedings, Patrick Dorgu impressed again, and Kobbie Mainoo returned to the starting XI after being marginalised under the now-departed Ruben Amorim.

Carrick has now gone unbeaten in four matches across his two spells as United’s caretaker.

His previous interim stint following Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s dismissal included wins over Villarreal and Arsenal, the latter a memorable 3–2 victory at Old Trafford. While that record offers optimism, it does little to mask the 15-point gap between the two sides heading into this fixture.

Arsenal are clear favourites on home soil, but United’s momentum under Carrick raises the question: can United spring another surprise at the Emirates?

Head-to-Head Record

Manchester United have not beaten Arsenal in the Premier League since 2022, when Antony scored on his debut in a 3–1 victory at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag. Before that, Carrick himself oversaw a 3–2 home win against Arteta’s side in December 2021.

United’s last league victory at the Emirates dates back to the José Mourinho era, when Jesse Lingard’s brace and a heroic David de Gea display sealed a 3–1 win in 2017.

In recent seasons, Arsenal have largely dominated this fixture, winning five of the last six league meetings.

However, the Gunners’ only victory in their last three encounters with United was a narrow 1–0 win at Old Trafford on the opening day of the 2025/26 season. United also knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup on penalties at the Emirates in January last year their only win there since 2019.

Team News

Despite leading Arsenal’s scoring charts, Viktor Gyökeres has endured mixed performances since his £63.5m arrival.

His form presents Arteta with a selection dilemma, especially with Gabriel Jesus regaining sharpness following a long ACL layoff. Both players scored in midweek at the San Siro, though Jesus’ heavy workload may prompt rotation.

Arsenal remain without Riccardo Calafiori, while Piero Hincapié and Max Dowman are also unlikely to feature due to injury.

For United, Mathijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee remain doubtful, though there is positive news at right-back with Noussair Mazraoui returning from AFCON duty. Since Carrick’s switch to a back four, the centre-back pairing of Lisandro Martínez and Harry Maguire looks set to continue after an impressive derby display.

Luke Shaw returned to left-back last weekend, allowing Dorgu to operate higher up the pitch, while Fernandes once again starred in his preferred No.10 role.

The Portuguese captain leads the Premier League for big chances created this season (15), ahead of Arsenal’s Declan Rice (11).

Sunday also marks a poignant moment, as it will be Casemiro’s final visit to the Emirates. The Brazilian confirmed this week he will leave United at the end of the season, bringing an end to a four-year spell at Old Trafford.

Predicted Line-Ups

Arsenal XI:

Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard; Saka, Gyökeres, Martinelli

Manchester United XI:

Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martínez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo