Arsenal vs Manchester United Prediction 25 January 2026
🔊 Can Manchester United exact revenge for their disappointing defeat in the first round? The Premier League title race is heating up. While the Red Devils aren't in the mix, they could still make a significant impact by taking points off Arsenal on January 25. However, bookmakers aren't buying into this scenario. The hosts at the Emirates are clear favorites and will aim to break their winless streak in the league, further distancing themselves from their inconsistent rivals.
Head-to-Head
📊 In recent years, a trip to the Emirates has practically guaranteed defeat for Manchester United. The team has lost 6 out of their last 7 Premier League encounters at Arsenal's stadium. The Red Devils also fell short in the opening round of the current season (0-1), despite putting on a strong performance at home. The clash was decided by a goal from Riccardo Calafiori, and the Italian defender hasn't found the back of the net since.
H2H Stats Matches and Previous Teams Results

Arsenal Team Overview
Recently, questions have arisen regarding the physical readiness of the Gunners. The team has drawn two consecutive goalless matches in the Premier League, and in their last outing against Nottingham Forest (0-0), they appeared noticeably fatigued. Despite this, they managed an xG of 2.74. It's worth noting that Arsenal lead the Premier League in expected goals (44.23) and have scored more than two goals in four consecutive matches.
Occasionally, poor finishing lets them down, but this wasn't the case in their recent clash with Inter Milan (3-1) in the Champions League. Mikel Arteta made some rotations, leaving Gabriel, Declan Rice, and Viktor Gyökeres on the bench, yet the Londoners still secured a victory in Milan. Gabriel Jesus scored his first goals since returning from injury, helping Arsenal solidify their top spot with one round remaining in the group stage of the Champions League.
Match Results: Arsenal

Manchester United Team Overview
Michael Carrick made a triumphant return, crafting a scenario that seemed almost too good to be true. The team secured their first victory of 2026 in none other than the Manchester derby, winning 2-0. The Red Devils controlled possession for just 32% of the match-it was one-way traffic, but not in the direction you might expect. United completely neutralized Pep Guardiola’s squad and came close to a rout.
Carrick paired Kobbie Mainoo with Casemiro, pushing Bruno Fernandes into the number ten role where the Portuguese star thrived, earning the Premier League Player of the Week honors. He assisted Bryan Mbeumo's winning goal, who stepped in as a forward in place of Benjamin Sesko. Every tactical move paid off brilliantly. United registered an xG of 2.44, effectively dismantling their neighbors. Notably, in expected goals this season, the Mancunians trail only Arsenal (43.91).
Match Results: Manchester United
Latest news
Arsenal
🎙 Mikel Arteta after the match against Inter: "We are incredibly proud not only of today's game but also of what we've achieved in the tournament over seven games. With one match left, being in the right position is a huge reward for the team because we know how challenging it is. Today was a test. Perhaps we didn't need the points, but we were eager to come here and prove ourselves against a top team. I'm very pleased with what I saw."
❌ Essentially, Arsenal's injury list includes only 16-year-old Max Daumann. Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapié are back in training with the squad, but their participation in the upcoming match is still uncertain. Additionally, Mikel Arteta is not yet counting on Kai Havertz. At the pre-match press conference, the head coach stated that after such a long absence, it's important to return cautiously, promising to give the German some playing time in the next couple of weeks.
Manchester United
🎙 Michael Carrick on the victorious derby: "It's a fantastic start, no doubt about it. Before the game, we were quite satisfied with our preparation, the players' emotional state, and the mood in the dressing room. So I was calm, but listen, City are an incredible team; they can rotate and change tactics. You never know how the game will unfold, but the way it turned out was fantastic. The guys were outstanding in many aspects today. Managing their emotions while keeping in mind the information we provided and gathering their strength was impressive. However, I'm not letting myself get carried away. It's just the result of one match. It's important to maintain these feelings and this level of play consistently."
❌ United face two absences - Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee. However, we can't consider the Dutchmen as key figures since the defender hasn't played for almost two months, and the forward isn't a starter. It's also unlikely that Noussair Mazraoui will play - the Moroccan needs rest after the Africa Cup of Nations.
🟨 Referee and Yellow Cards
The central match of the round will be officiated by Craig Pawson, and it's no coincidence. The seasoned Englishman is known for not being overly generous with cards, averaging just 2.8 cautions per game in the current Premier League season. While the atmosphere on the pitch will undoubtedly be tense, Pawson will only reach for his yellow cards in extreme cases. Therefore, we are betting on under 3.5 yellow cards. This bet has come through in 13 of the referee's last 14 Premier League matches, as well as in 6 of Manchester United's last 7 games across all competitions.
⚽️ Goal Prediction
Mikel Arteta's team has gone two consecutive Premier League matches without scoring. A third goalless game is unlikely, but we also don't expect Arsenal to suddenly find the net with ease. Arsenal scores under 2.5 goals in five consecutive matches against Manchester United. Meanwhile, the Red Devils' defense looked particularly solid last week against another title contender.
🚩 Corner Prediction
The Red Devils have delivered at least four corner kicks in each of their last five away Premier League matches. Considering the level of their opponent, we are betting on over 2.5 corners for Manchester United. We believe Michael Carrick's side won't just sit back defensively, but will look to capitalize on counter-attacks, turning them into set-piece opportunities.
Editorial Prediction
Predicting this match is particularly challenging, given the uncertainty surrounding Manchester United's form. They delivered an outstanding performance against Man City, but whether they can maintain that level remains a big question mark. It's likely they will face issues over time, but we believe that riding the wave of positive momentum, the Red Devils will pose a threat to Arsenal as well. While we doubt they will win or even secure points, they should find the back of the net. The bet on both teams to score (yes) has hit in United's last nine away Premier League matches, and it's the primary choice of Scores24's editorial team. The anticipated outcome is a hard-fought victory for the Gunners with a scoreline of 2-1.
