Arsenal vs Manchester United Picks and Predictions: Gunners Hit Their Target

Two of the biggest names in European soccer will meet in a friendly on Saturday when Arsenal and Manchester United square off at MetLife Stadium.

While it might not be an official match, there’s rarely anything “friendly” afoot when these two sides get together. Arsenal is coming off a 5-0 thrashing of the MLS All-Star team, and are hoping to get their hands on the Premier League trophy that narrowly escaped their grasp last season.

Erik ten Hag’s side is hoping to build on their Top-4 finish, and are making their first appearance in the United States on their preseason tour after facing Lyon in Scotland and winning a 1-0 squeaker. Man United have put together a tough preseason schedule, and a win against Arsenal would be a great stepping-off point for the season.

Anything can happen in preseason friendlies, and it can be tough to find betting value. We’re here to help you do just that with our Arsenal vs. Manchester United betting picks and predictions for Saturday, July 22. 

Arsenal vs Manchester United best odds

Arsenal vs Manchester United picks and predictions

Arsenal showed on Wednesday night against the MLS All-Star side that they’re ready to go for the new season. They attacked early and often, pouncing on every mistake the MLS players made and immediately swarming their goal. Despite starting a squad that wasn’t their primary unit, they jumped out to a 2-0 lead and extended it shortly after halftime.

Gabriel Martinelli, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Martin Odegaard all came off the bench in the second half, and Arsenal never looked like they were ever going to be challenged. Now they travel just a short distance from Washington, D.C. up to New Jersey, and it’s likely we will see an even stronger starting XI than we got on Wednesday.

For Manchester United, numerous factors come into play for them heading into this match. For starters, they’re not going to have the simple journey their opponents enjoyed. Their match on Wednesday took place in the early morning for American fans, as they narrowly defeated Lyon 1-0 in Edinburgh. Donny van de Beek’s goal was the lone tally in the match, and while the majority of their backline was intact, the midfield and forward line was not.

That’s because players like Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, and the newly-appointed captain Bruno Fernandes were given time off to rest following international duty. They’re now back with the squad, and while they’re likely to play on Saturday it’s still to be determined whether they will start or not.

It always takes a bit of time to gel and reintegrate into the team when starting preseason, and Man United will likely look a bit out of sorts. There’s also likely to be some growing pains as the back line meshes with new goalkeeper Andre Onana, who may play on Saturday following his move from Inter Milan. 

That’s why I’m backing Arsenal to get the win for my best bet. After a pair of 1-1 draws in their first two preseason outings, they looked much more cohesive against the MLS All-Stars, and their matches last season with Manchester United were highly competitive. 

Bukayo Saka caused them problems, and his performance against the MLS All-Stars was amazing. I expect him to play a key role on Saturday for an Arsenal side that is better rested and simply a bit further along as a squad for their upcoming season’s preparations. 

My best bet: Arsenal moneyline (+125 at FanDuel)

Arsenal vs Manchester United side analysis

Arsenal are favored on the 3-way line at +125, with only a couple of books offering lines on the friendly as of Friday. Man United are second choice at +185, with the draw at +230. Arsenal have already played a trio of friendlies, drawing two and winning one, while Man United have won their two friendlies over Leeds and Lyon without conceding a goal.

Rice is the big new acquisition for Arsenal, and he could start here after featuring off the bench in midweek. The Gunners will be without Reiss Nelson and Oleksandr Zinchenko, while Leandro Trossard will likely miss out after suffering a knee issue against the All-Stars. Mike Arteta should have the rest of his players available even if just for a cameo performance, with the likes of Emile Smith-Rowe and Thomas Partey joining the team this week.

As for Man United, midfielder Fred was left out of the squad at his request as he looks to complete a move to Saudi Arabia, while defender Tyrell Malacia is out with an injury. Anthony Martial could return at striker, while Onana may feature despite just one training session with the squad.

Both teams are hoping to be in the title race this upcoming season, but Arsenal are more prepared and will not have to deal with jet lag or fatigue. With this match kicking off at 10 p.m. London time on Saturday, that adjustment period will likely weigh a bit on the Man United players, another reason to take Arsenal to win. 

Arsenal vs Manchester United Over/Under analysis

Arsenal’s clean sheet against the MLS All-Stars came after conceding just once in each of their first two friendlies, and was the first match that went past 2.5 goals. That said, that performance is helping drive the Over in this match, which is juiced a bit at -144 versus positive money for the Under.

Man United will have the likes of Rashford, Bruno, and Antony available in attack, and those players were key in a pair of meetings last year that finished four or more goals scored in each. In fact, the last four matches between these two have been high-scoring, with each featuring four or more goals and a total of 18 goals scored. 

I’d take the Over here, but I’d either pair it with both teams to score in a decent parlay, or I’d look at the Over 3.5 line. I nearly took it as my best bet at a price of +156, but Man United might set up to defend more if Onana plays, and that could prevent it from coming through. 

Arsenal vs Manchester United game info

Arsenal vs Manchester United key injuries

Arsenal: Reiss Nelson F (Out), Leandro Trossard M (Doubtful), Oleksandr Zinchenko D (Doubtful). 
Manchester United: Fred M (Out), Tyrell Malacia D (Out), Andre Onana GK (Questionable), Anthony Martial F (Questionable). 

Arsenal vs Manchester United weather

It’s going to be a warm but manageable afternoon on Saturday, with temperatures in the mid-80s. There won’t be much wind to cool people off, but rain won’t be an issue and humidity shouldn’t be too bad. 

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