A hug encounter in the US sees rivals Arsenal and Man United clash in a pre-season friendly at the MetLife Stadium. Who will show early signs of readiness for the new campaign?
Arsenal vs Manchester United
Pre-season friendly
Saturday 22 July – 23:00
MetLife Stadium
Arsenal
After a “just about” season, Arsenal are already three official games into their pre-season. A quick trip to Germany, followed by a pitstop back in London Conley to welcome new signings Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, and Declan Rice before making what is seemingly becoming a yearly stop in the United States of America sees the Gunners ready to square off with age-old rivals Manchester United.
Mike Arteta has progressed the squad season after season, making wholesale changes coupled with an electric and exciting brand of football to watch. All this however does not work without the support of the fans, and my word, have Arsenal’s fans been totally different to that of the boring old Emirates in prior years. Last pre-season, Arsenal faced Chelsea in the USA and the amount of Gooners present was quite surprising, so that same energy should be present for the players to feed off.
It will be interesting to witness the new on field dynamics that Arteta introduces in a high intensity friendly against a rival, as well as the players looking to make an impression heading into the new season.
Kai Havertz scores his first goal for Arsenal 😤
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 20, 2023
(via @MLS)pic.twitter.com/GLq1Hy98es
To Win Match
Arsenal 1/1 | Draw 23/10 | Man United 9/4
Preseason training continues at Carrington. 🏃♂️#MUFC_FAMILY #GGMU #MUFC pic.twitter.com/zeFmwiBeH0
— Man United Fan Club (@manufcnow) July 15, 2023
Manchester United
Manchester United’s pre-season campaign is in full swing, and after making the trips to Thailand and Australia last season, they enter the homeland of the Glazers for the first time since 2018. While a squad overhaul of new personnel does not seem to be high up on the agenda, a few big changes have been made.
Harry Maguire is the biggest change since the Cristiano Ronaldo saga, and I’m sure we can expect more bold decisions from Erik ten Hag in the future. Second to that is the removal of the last player to play under Sir Alex Ferguson, David de Gea, and the announcement of Cameroonian international Andre Onana. With the axing of Wout Weghorst, I would love to see who the Dutch manager has up his sleeve high on of the Red Devils attack.
Last season was arguably the best United season since Ferguson’s departure, ending a six-year trophy drought at Old Trafford and third place in the league. It’s hard to judge the upcoming season on pressing results, as the tour last year yielded morale boosting victories, but the start of the Premier League campaign went pear-shaped. But it is clear to see that under Ten Hag, United are on an upward trajectory.
Verdict: Arsenal (1/1)
