Arsenal are on the brink of history as they prepare to host Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Victory would see the Gunners equal a 45-year-old record last achieved by West Bromwich Albion, who managed five consecutive home league wins over United between 1976 and 1980.
Mikel Arteta, once a midfield rival of United’s Michael Carrick, now faces him in the dugout.
Arteta will be eager to replicate Arsenal’s opening-day triumph at Old Trafford, when Riccardo Calafiori’s header sealed a 1-0 win. Carrick, however, arrives with momentum after guiding United to a statement 2-0 derby victory over Manchester City last weekend.
Arsenal’s domestic form has stuttered with back-to-back goalless draws against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, though they impressed in Europe with a 3-1 Champions League win over Inter Milan.
The Emirates has nevertheless been a fortress against United, with the Red Devils losing each of their last four Premier League visits.
Arteta’s record against United is particularly striking. Since taking charge in 2019, he has faced them 12 times in the league, winning eight, drawing two, and losing only twice. His 67% win rate is the best of any manager to face United at least five times in Premier League history.
United’s last league success at Arsenal came in September 2022 at Old Trafford, while their last draw at the Emirates was back in January 2021. Six winless league games later, they risk suffering a fifth straight defeat in North London—a feat not seen in nearly half a century.
With Calafiori back in training and Arsenal buoyed by their European exploits, Arteta’s men are primed to chase history in what promises to be a blockbuster clash.
