Manchester United welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford today for their first Premier League match of the 2025/2026 season.
The Red Devils have played the Gunners 243 times in one of English football’s classic fixtures.
United have come out on top 102 times, whilst Arsenal have been victorious in 90.
There have been 51 draws overall. Here are three plotlines to get excited about.
Great Old Trafford record vs Arsenal
Last season was a polar opposite for both teams as the Gunners finished second and United 15th in the table.
Nonetheless, they drew 1-1 at Old Trafford and United were probably unfortunate not to take all three points.
Ruben Amorim’s side have enjoyed a good recent record versus Arsenal at home, losing just two of their last 18 home matches versus Mikel Arteta’s team.
They have won 10 and drawn six of these games but both defeats came against Arteta in November 2020 and May 2024.
Opening day joy
The Red Devils are opening their season for a ninth consecutive year at Old Trafford.
This is the longest run of any top-flight team in English football history.
In addition, according to The BBC, they “have won their opening match of a Premier League campaign more often than any other side (22), while also having the best win rate on matchday one of any side to play in more than one season (67%).”
This included beating Fulham 1-0 last season with Joshua Zirkzee grabbing a debut goal.
United aiming to break Arsenal streak again
Whilst much has been made about Arteta’s lack of trophies as Arsenal boss, he has certainly turned the team into a very difficult side to beat.
The Gunners are currently on a 14 game unbeaten streak in away matches in the Premier League since losing 0-1 to Newcastle in November 2024.
They have won seven and drawn seven of these matches and it is their second longest run in Premier League history.
Their longest was 27 games unbeaten between April 2003 and September 2004, which United famously ended at Old Trafford through goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney in a titanic tussle.
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
