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2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 37
Manchester United v Arsenal
Old Trafford
Manchester, England
Sunday, 12 May 2024
Kick-off is at 17h30
Arsenal will be confident of coming away from Old Trafford with maximum points when they go head-to-head with Manchester United on Sunday, May 12.
The Gunners hold a one-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table after a 3-0 triumph over Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium on May 4 extended their winning streak to four matches.
Mikel Arteta's side cannot afford to drop any points if they hope to end a 20-year drought without a title as the Citizens have a game in hand on them and are unbeaten in their last 20 outings.
City romped to a 5-1 victory over Wolves at the Etihad Stadium on May 4 to keep the pressure on the league leaders, while their neighbours will be smarting after suffering a disappointing 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on May 6.
The writing could be on the wall for Erik ten Hag, who saw Newcastle (6th) and Chelsea (7th) go above his team in the standings after winning just two of his last 10 matches.
United had an opportunity to close within three points of Tottenham, but instead find themselves in danger of missing out on Europe completely.
Suggested photo: Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United
In team news, Bruno Fernandes could return for the hosts, but they remain without Tyrell Malacia (knee), Lisandro Martinez (calf), Anthony Martial (groin), Harry Maguire and Willy Kambwala, while Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof (both thigh), Marcus Rashford (ankle) and Scott McTominay (knee) are all rated doubtful. Jurrien Timber is the only absentee for the visitors.
Ten Hag has taken responsibility for what he described as the "worst defeat" of the season, but insists he will "keep fighting" for his job.
"If the right players are available, we have a good squad. We miss almost the whole backline and then we have problems," the Dutchman told Sky Sports.
"I will keep fighting. I prepared the team in the best way I could do. It was not good enough, I have to take responsibility for that but I will find energy and prepare them for Sunday's game."
Suggested photo: Declan Rice of Arsenal
Arteta hailed the first-half performance against the Cherries as their best of the campaign and was pleased to keep a 17th clean sheet.
"I thought it was probably the best first half we have played all season. We were unbelievable, everything flowing, super composed on the ball, really aggressive without the ball," the Spaniard said.
"We generated so many chances, we could have gone three, four, five easily and we didn't. We scored one. Credit to Bournemouth, they changed a few things and created some issues.
"The game became a little bit more open, something we wanted to avoid. Within that game, we resolved certain situations in the right way and we were very efficient in front of goal to score the goals and maintain another clean sheet."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Manchester United wins - 2
Arsenal wins - 3
Draws - 0
Premier League Matchday 37 fixtures:
Saturday, May 11
13h30: Fulham v Manchester City
16h00: Bournemouth v Brentford
16h00: Everton v Sheffield United
16h00: Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion
16h00: Tottenham Hotspur v Burnley
16h00: West Ham United v Luton Town
16h00: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Crystal Palace
18h30: Nottingham Forest v Chelsea
Sunday, May 12
17h30: Manchester United v Arsenal
Monday, May 13
21h00: Aston Villa v Liverpool