Arsenal vs. Manchester United Prediction: Carrick Faces Another Tough Test

• Arsenal are in pole position to win the Premier League title this season

• Manchester United won their first game under Michael Carrick last weekend

• Will Arsenal triumph on home turf, or can Manchester United spring a surprise?

Arsenal vs. Manchester Odds

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My -120 Pick for Arsenal vs. Manchester United 

Back an Arsenal win or a draw and both teams to score. It is hard to see the Gunners losing to Manchester United on home turf, but the visitors to the Emirates Stadium can find the back of the net.

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Arsenal Aim to Press Home Advantage in the Title Race

A few weeks back, when Manchester City had won seven Premier League games in a row to trim Arsenal’s lead in top spot, many wondered whether the latter would crumble. City have the sort of title-winning knowhow and experience that Arsenal lack, and we have seen the Gunners overtaken in the second half of the season before. Despite trailing Mikel Arteta’s men, City appeared to be in a strong position.

No longer. It is too early to write Pep Guardiola’s side out of the fight for the championship crown, but they are clear underdogs now. City have slipped seven points adrift of Arsenal, who now hold a commanding lead at the summit of the standings. A string of poor results has put Guardiola’s charges in a difficult position. Crucially, Arsenal have taken full advantage. 

While City have taken three points from the last 12 available, Arsenal have collected eight. As those numbers demonstrate, the Gunners have not been perfect in that time - but they have been better than City. The best online sportsbooks now have them down as odds-on favourites to win the title. 

The strength of Arsenal’s roster has been a big plus point this season. In previous years, Arteta’s team have been blown off course by injuries. In 2025/26, their squad is so deep that they can withstand a few absentees. Arsenal have top-class alternatives in virtually every part of the pitch, something which cannot be said for City.

The pressure is on Arsenal after their three consecutive runners-up finishes. If they do not win the league from this position, serious questions will be asked of Arteta. Right now, though, Arsenal are exactly where they want to be.

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Carrick Out to Make Positive Impression at Manchester United

Michael Carrick could not have asked for a better start to his Manchester United tenure. Taking charge of his first match following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, Carrick led United to a convincing 2-0 victory over Manchester City last time out. It was a fully deserved win for the home team at Old Trafford, who also had three goals disallowed.

Granted, City were poor. Pep Guardiola’s team are not at the races right now, as evidenced by their shock 3-1 defeat by Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League on Tuesday. Yet it would be churlish to withhold praise from United, who played with the sort of energy, dynamism and aggression that was, for the most part, conspicuous by its absence under Amorim.

“If anything, I was worried about the desperation [to win] over-spilling and making bad decisions because you're so keen, but they managed it so well,” Carrick said. “To put on a performance like that today, it was a special day. It was a nice feeling.”

Talk has already turned to whether Carrick should get the job full-time. It is far too early to make such a judgment, but ruling the former midfielder out at this stage makes just as little sense as arguing for his immediate appointment on a full-time basis. It will ultimately come down to how United perform over the next few months, as well as the availability and interest (or lack thereof) of other potential contenders.

Carrick will give himself the best chance of being in contention by leading United up the table. Despite their struggles in the first half of the campaign, a top-four finish is not out of the question - not least because the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool have issues of their own. Ahead of this trip to the Emirates Stadium, United are just a point behind Liverpool in fourth.

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Manchester United Not in Arsenal’s Class at the Moment

Arsenal vs Manchester United used to be the biggest game in the Premier League, but that has not been the case until the first half of the 2000s. First, Arsenal faded as a force under Arsene Wenger, then United followed suit following Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013.

Fast forward to 2025/26 and Arsenal are the team to beat again, with United still struggling to get back to the top of the division. But a win at the Emirates this weekend would be a useful statement of intent for United and for Carrick, who is doubtless thinking about the permanent job even if he does not admit it.

United were much better against Manchester City than they were in previous weeks, but this will be a tougher test. For one, Arsenal are at home this weekend. Secondly, they are simply a better team than City right now.

Yet it is worth remembering that United have been a much more effective offensive team this term, even under Amorim. Even back on matchday one, when they lost 1-0 at home to Arsenal, United created plenty of chances.

Both teams to score is a good pick for Sunday's showdown in north London, then, and we recommend combining that with ‘Arsenal or draw’ in the double chance market. United can score against the Gunners, but they will struggle to beat them.

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How to Watch Arsenal vs. Manchester United

• Teams: Arsenal vs. Manchester United

• Location: Emirates Stadium, London, England

• Date and Time: Sunday 25th January, 11:30 AM ET

• How to Watch: Peacock Premium