MANCHESTER: The meeting between Manchester United and Arsenal was once considered one of the classic Premier League matches, full of hard-fought action and players willing to sacrifice for three points.
The two clubs often competed for domestic and European championships under the era of Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.
However, the aura of the meeting has faded over the past few seasons, with the glory days long gone.
United suffered their worst moment last season when they finished 15th in the Premier League, their worst finish since 1974 when they were relegated – partly due to a backheel goal by club legend Denis Law for Manchester City.
However, United manager Ruben Amorim refused to hide behind excuses. He admitted that United needed one or two new players in key positions to turn the club’s fortunes around.
Among the main targets is Viktor Gyokeres, Amorim’s former protégé at Sporting who scored 97 goals in 102 matches and helped the club win the championship.
However, Arsenal, who had been tracking Benjamin Sesko for a long time, finally managed to secure the Swedish striker’s signature.
Interestingly, Sesko joined United after scoring a record 39 goals and eight assists in 87 appearances with RB Leipzig.
The clash between these two venomous strikers tonight has the potential to determine the outcome of the match, and their performance may even shape the fate of both clubs this season.
Sesko himself once revealed his unique routine: “I meditate at least once a day and take planned breaks. I read books on meditation and try new exercises. For me, it’s just as important as training on the field or in the gym.”
Arsenal have finished second in three consecutive seasons, and this season – their 100th consecutive campaign in the English top flight – feels like the perfect moment to win the title.
Mikel Arteta strengthened the squad with Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
United also brought in Sesko, Bryan Mbuemo, Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon.
United have not beaten Arsenal at Old Trafford for three years, however, with their last win coming in September 2022 (3-1).
Arsenal have also been a constant problem since then, winning four of their last five league meetings and scoring at least two goals in three of them.
For this match, United goalkeeper Andre Onana is still struggling with a pre-season injury and may be replaced by Altay Bayindir.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are still without Gabriel Jesus, who has been out injured since the 2022 incident at Old Trafford.
History may give United a slight advantage.
The only opening-day league meeting between the two sides at Old Trafford in the 1989-90 season ended in a resounding 4-1 victory for United.
However, Arsenal come in with an excellent record of being unbeaten in their last 14 away league games (seven wins, seven draws), and have won five of their opening six games of the season, including the last three.
United still have the record for most wins on the opening day of a season (22) and the highest win rate (67%).
In fact, if they win tonight, they will become the first club in English football history to beat Arsenal 100 times.
Furthermore, success at Old Trafford could give them two wins in a row after beating Aston Villa on the final day of last season – something they failed to achieve throughout the 2024-25 season under Erik ten Hag and Amorim.