Manchester United vs Arsenal predictions: Perfect start to come to an end

After five matches, Arsenal remain the only team in the Premier League yet to drop a point but they face arguably their biggest challenge of the season so far when they take on Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, kick-off at 4.30pm. 

United began the campaign on the back foot with a 2-1 loss to Brighton and a 4-0 hammering by Brentford but have responded with three straight wins and should put up a fight against the Gunners. 

Team news

Manchester United could field an unchanged side from their 1-0 victory over Leicester. 

They are set to be without Anthony Martial, Brandon Williams and Facundo Pellistri, although Victor Lindelof has been back in training and made the match-day squad at Leicester. 

Casemiro will be hoping for a first start having made two appearances from off the bench, while big deadline-day signing Antony will be looking to get involved straight away.

Arsenal remain light on options in midfield with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny still sidelined with thigh and hamstring problems, respectively, meaning Albert Sambi Lokonga and Granit Xhaka are likely to start. 

Martin Odegaard is a doubt after being forced off late on against Aston Villa on Wednesday.

Reiss Nelson is also out through injury, while Oleksandr Zinchenko is struggling with a knee issue, so Kieran Tierney should start at left-back again. 

The stats

Arsenal have started the Premier League season with five straight wins — they have not started a campaign with six victories in a row since 1947-48. 

However, the Gunners have picked up only one win in their last 15 league matches at Old Trafford. 

Gabriel Jesus has made a great start to life in an Arsenal shirt, registering three goals and three assists. 

If United manage to claim the spoils, it will be the first time they have strung together four consecutive league wins since April 2021. 

Prediction

Arsenal have been one of the main talking points in the Premier League so far this season, having swatted aside Crystal Palace, Leicester, Bournemouth, Fulham and Aston Villa in their opening five games to go top of the table. 

A visit to Manchester United on Sunday will give fans an insight into exactly how far this team has come under Mikel Arteta. 

Goals have not been an issue for the Gunners as they have racked up 13 in five matches and are led by a slick front three of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli. 

And at the back, William Saliba has forged a terrific partnership with Gabriel, with the north London club recording two clean sheets. 

However, in the middle of the park, injuries have become a problem and it remains to be seen how well Lokonga and Xhaka, who now has a tendency to delve forward, can cope with the stronger sides. 

United could certainly cause Arsenal problems in that area and the way the Red Devils carved out disciplined wins over Liverpool, Southampton and Leicester should be cause for concern for the visitors. 

Arteta will warn his side against getting caught up in the history of this fixture but this will be a key psychological test for Arsenal. 

The Gunners have looked shaky for periods in their matches with Fulham and Aston Villa, and may see their winning streak snapped at Old Trafford. 

A draw looks the most likely result.