Manchester United vs Arsenal Prediction: Back goals in heavyweight opener

In what is undoubtedly the biggest game of the opening weekend of the 2025/26 Premier League season, Manchester United welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon (16:30 BST, live on Sky Sports Main Event).

The Red Devils will be looking to kick-off the new campaign on a positive note after finishing 15th last term, while the Gunners will be eager to finally make those title aspirations reality after falling short for the past three years. Read on for our Manchester United vs Arsenal predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Andre Onana is in a race to recover in time from a hamstring injury that caused him to miss every pre-season game, while Noussair Mazraoui has not featured since picking up a knock in United’s first pre-season match against Leeds United, and Lisandro Martinez is still working his way back from a serious knee injury.

Ruben Amorim’s back three on Sunday is likely to be comprised of Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt or Harry Maguire centrally, plus either Luke Shaw or former Arsenal man Ayden Heaven on the left side.

Benjamin Sesko may have to settle for a role off the bench on Sunday, as the former RB Leipzig man only started training with his new side on Wednesday. That means Rasmus Hojlund may start, but the Dane is reportedly the subject of a loan offer from AC Milan in light of the Slovenian's arrival.

Joshua Zirkzee returned to training this week so he could be another option, although Amorim may opt to deploy Mason Mount or Bruno Fernandes in a false nine role. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have both featured in pre-season for United, and are likely to start on Sunday.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have a relatively clean bill of health ahead of their trip to Old Trafford.

Big-money summer signing Victor Gyokeres is in line to make his Premier League debut, while Kai Havertz is also another option up top if Mikel Arteta opts to bring his new number nine off the bench.

Gabriel Jesus remains sidelined with a knee injury, while Bukayo Saka will start on the right flank with Gabriel Martinelli the likelest option on the left.

Noni Madueke could be handed his league debut for the Gunners after his summer move across the capital from Chelsea, with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard expected to be given the nod in midfield.

David Raya will start between the sticks behind William Saliba and Gabriel, with Ben White and Myles Lewis-Skelly either side of them.

Manchester United vs Arsenal Odds

United are 11/4 to commence the new campaign with a win, with the draw 13/5 and an Arsenal win can be backed at 21/20, giving the Gunners an implied win probability of 48.8%.

Summer signing Gyokeres is favourite to score anytime at 11/10, followed by Bukayo Saka at 2/1, while Sesko is shortest-priced for Amorim's side at 11/5.

Draw and both teams to score - yes @ 10/3

What a brilliant way to start the new season - a battle of two English heavyweights.

This one feels like it means more than just three points, it's the chance to set the tone for the season. United need to leave last year's nightmare in the rear view mirror and Arsenal are desperate to get over the line to secure their first league title since 2004.

Both teams have splashed the cash this summer, with United investing nearly £200m on new recruits to the forward line bringing in Sesko, Mbeumo and Cunha to inject some much-needed firepower.

Arsenal have spent big on Gyokeres in the hope that he's the final piece of the puzzle and can fire the Gunners to the title, after finishing the last three years as runners-up.

In terms of Sunday's contest, the first game of the season is always difficult to predict, but especially a game of this magnitude. In addition, Old Trafford hasn't been a happy hunting ground for Arsenal recently - United have lost just two of their last 18 Premier League home games against the Gunners, which is why we're backing the draw.

Both teams to score also looks to be a sensible play here, as that bet landed in 37% of Arsenal's away matches last year. United struggled for goals last term, and their home average xG was 1.42. Considering the arrivals of Sesko, Cunha and Mbeumo, the forward line is capable of scoring plenty this season.

Despite the investment in the attacking third of the pitch, there remains question marks over United's midfield and defence, and Arsenal will carve out chances at Old Trafford. In fact, the script writers have probably already pencilled in a Gyokeres goal against his former gaffer...

Victor Gyokeres to have 2 or more shots on target @ 6/5

Speaking of Gyokores, our second pick for Sunday's contest is for the former Coventry City striker to have two or more shots on target.

As mentioned above, United may have overhauled the attack but the Red Devils shipped 54 goals last term, and failed to keep a clean sheet in four of their five pre-season fixtures.

Gyokeres needs no introduction to Amorim, but in case you're not familiar - the Swede has been one of Europe's most in-form strikers over the last two seasons, netting a mouth-watering 68 goals in 66 Primeira Liga appearances for Sporting Lisbon.

He also averaged over three shots-per-game in Portugal and fired two shots on target against Athletic Bilbao in Arsenal's final pre-season game.

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