Arsenal vs. Man Utd: Three Epic Showdowns Set to Ignite This Premier League Thriller
Around the millennium, Arsenal and Manchester United were the primary contenders for Premier League supremacy.
Arsenal's later decline left them overshadowed by their traditional foes, but fortunes have reversed. The Gunners look poised to secure their first Premier League championship since 2003–04, and defeating the Red Devils on Sunday will help them overcome another major obstacle on their path to glory.
Mikel Arteta's squad has maintained relentless excellence throughout this campaign—both in domestic and European competitions—with their remarkable journey starting with a triumph over United at Old Trafford in August. Completing a season sweep against their longtime rivals would add further brilliance to what becomes an increasingly impressive campaign.
United seek to disrupt the celebration at the Emirates Stadium and are playing with fresh motivation following Michael Carrick's inaugural victory against Manchester City as temporary manager. Should the Red Devils arrive in north London with comparable resolve and concentration, they will present the dominant Gunners with genuine challenges.
On such a momentous afternoon, here are three tactical duels that may determine the outcome.
Martín Zubimendi vs. Bruno Fernandes
Martín Zubimendi vs. Bruno Fernandes
Unlike the previous campaign, Bruno Fernandes isn't United's sole creative force, yet he continues as the team's offensive leader. The Portuguese star tops the league in chances created (62) by a considerable margin and has registered a team-leading 14 goals and assists in Premier League action this season.
Now positioned more offensively under Carrick, Fernandes's impact will likely grow in upcoming matches. As the attacking midfielder in the 4-2-3-1 setup that proved highly effective against Man City recently, the captain enjoys greater liberty to showcase his talents, freed from the defensive duties required when playing deeper in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-2-1 structure.
For United to meet the Emirates challenge, Fernandes must perform at peak level, though he faces a tough opponent in Martín Zubimendi. The Spanish midfielder's rapid adaptation to English football and outstanding reliability has been somewhat overlooked this season, yet the summer signing has quickly become essential to Arteta's strategy.
Agile in his defensive role, excellent with his passing, and fierce in tackles, Zubimendi possesses every quality needed. The 26-year-old's contribution also enables Declan Rice to venture forward more freely while reducing Martin Ødegaard's defensive obligations.
Zubimendi undoubtedly possesses the skills to match Fernandes step-for-step, and their impending duel will provide one of Sunday's most compelling storylines for neutrals. These Iberian rivals will both be determined to claim victory when the final whistle sounds.
Declan Rice vs. Casemiro
Declan Rice vs. Casemiro
As noted, Zubimendi's presence has liberated Rice. The England star serves as the pulse of a well-drilled and aggressive Arsenal squad, a dynamic midfielder who represents the competitive spirit of Arteta's team. He's the total player.
There's nothing groundbreaking to say about Rice, who has earned continuous acclaim this season for his outstanding performances, with his defensive skills, tireless energy, and enhanced attacking contributions establishing him as an undisputed world-class talent.
Rice is perfecting the art of late runs into the box while already mastering set-piece delivery, providing him dual pathways to becoming the decisive factor for the league leaders. Containing him is virtually impossible.
That challenging assignment falls to 33-year-old Casemiro, whose exit from Old Trafford at season's end was formally confirmed Thursday. The Brazilian's declining mobility and hefty salary have necessitated this decision.
Theoretically, Casemiro should struggle against Rice, who is nearly seven years younger, and the veteran will definitely need support from Kobbie Mainoo in their midfield partnership. Nevertheless, Casemiro's vast experience and tactical awareness mean he can still compete with the league's best when performing well—as demonstrated in last weekend's Manchester derby.
Bukayo Saka vs. Luka Shaw
Bukayo Saka vs. Luka Shaw
Not many left-backs welcome facing Bukayo Saka. The Arsenal forward ranks among the Premier League's top attackers, and despite producing slightly fewer statistics than usual this season, he continues troubling opposing defenders regularly. Just ask Inter.
Though Noni Madueke has started two of the recent three Premier League fixtures, Saka seems certain to begin against United considering Sunday's importance. The winger, who has six goal contributions across 11 previous encounters with the Manchester club, will aim to build on his productive San Siro performance with another memorable showing.
Saka's next adversary, Luke Shaw, is familiar territory. The pair have played together 18 times for England and possess deep knowledge of each other's abilities and vulnerabilities from shared training sessions.
Shaw understands that sometimes fouling Saka becomes the only solution. Giving him room to accelerate is unacceptable, while defenders who mark him too closely often find themselves beaten by a shoulder feint and explosive pace.
Luckily, Shaw will have support on the left flank. Traditional fullback Patrick Dorgu operated as a winger ahead of the Englishman against Man City and, having found the net in that match, looks set for another start. Double-teaming Saka might be the sole method to limit his impact, though the overlapping movements of Ben White or Jurriën Timber and Ødegaard's creativity in the right channel will also demand attention.