Good afternoon! Thank you all for joining us for what promises to be a fascinating Premier League battle between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford.

The 4.30pm kickoff may be the only English top-flight game on Sunday's menu, but it is one that stands alone thanks to the plethora of historic battles, such as the 8-2 demolition of 2012 or Arsenal's title-clinching 1-0 success 10 years before.

Can the European-chasing Red Devils atone for Monday's harrowing 4-0 loss at Crystal Palace, or will Arsenal return to the summit with a fifth Premier League win in a row? All those questions and more to be answered later, but first, a look at the team news...

MANCHESTER UNITED STARTING XI: Onana; Dalot, Casemiro, Evans, Wan-Bissaka; Mainoo, Amrabat, McTominay; Diallo, Hojlund, Garnacho

Subs: Bayindir, Amass, Kambwala, Eriksen, Collyer, Forson, Antony, Wheatley, Ogunneye

ARSENAL STARTING XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard

Subs: Ramsdale, Zinchenko, Kiwior, Jorginho, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Martinelli, Jesus, Nketiah

Well, some major headlines on the Man United team news front! Neither Bruno Fernandes nor Marcus Rashford make the squad, despite both returning to training in the week. Huge, huge blow for an already under-pressure Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils boss does have Scott McTominay back available, though. He's one of three changes for the hosts today, along with Sofyan Amrabat and the scarcely-seen Amad Diallo.

Christian Eriksen, the under-performing Antony and the injured Mason Mount all drop out for Man United, who persist with the same backline that shipped four goals to Crystal Palace on Monday.

Amrabat, McTominay and Kobbie Mainoo will seemingly offer more protection in a midfield trident. Ten Hag playing it safe or just no real alternatives? A bit of both most likely.

The young Willy Kambwala is back on the bench, but it is Casemiro and Jonny Evans tasked with protecting Andre Onana again. The former and Antony were both left out of the Brazil squad for this year's Copa America.

On current form, no surprise at all, although Casemiro does serve as his country's captain...

Meanwhile, it is as you were for Arsenal. Unchanged for the fourth game on the spin.

Takehiro Tomiyasu and Bukayo Saka have both shaken off knocks to start.

In truth, there was no real doubt about their availabilities was there? Mikel Arteta loves a good smoke and mirrors tactic.

No Jurrien Timber, though; he has travelled with the squad but is still being held back. The Gunners bench looks heavily stacked either way.

Saka reprising his role will be music to Gooners' ears in particular; only Thierry Henry (12) has directly contributed to more Premier League goals against Man United than the Englishman's five for Arsenal. He has either scored or assisted in his last four against them too.

However, the Red Devils must cope without Arsenal's main nemesis; the absent Rashford has six goals and four assists in Premier League games against the Gunners, his most against a single opponent in the competition.

As if the Old Trafford faithful needed another reason to feel pessimistic about today's game.

So, how could today's result impact the standings? The formula is pretty simple for Arsenal.

They will return to top spot with a win and ensure that the title race goes down to the wire, but any other result and Manchester City can clinch the crown at Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the eighth-placed Red Devils will move level on points with Chelsea and Newcastle United if they prevail, but they would need to win by a staggering 16-goal margin to leapfrog the Blues due to their inferior goal difference.

Something tells me that will not be happening.

While a 16-goal swing might be off the cards, today is a prime opportunity for Ten Hag's men to bounce back from Monday's embarrassment at Selhurst Park. It is just one win in seven in the Premier League for the hosts.

Nevertheless, their fans were in magnificent voice on Monday night. Ten Hag has just issued a rallying cry to his side to pay the travelling supporters back after such an inspired off-pitch showing, certainly in stark contrast to their efforts on it.

The Dutchman just spoke to Sky Sports about his alterations.

Confirmed that Amrabat's inclusion was to try to stifle Arsenal in possession in the middle of the park, while Diallo "deserves" his chance on the right. Think few could argue with him there.

No surprise to see Arteta stick with what he knows, though - his side are on a four-game winning streak in the Premier League and have already equalled their record for victories in a Premier League season (26).

Not even the Invincibles managed 27, but the Gunners can write club history today.

As well as chasing a new wins record, Arsenal are just one goal away from registering their most in a Premier League season, having already matched their previous high of 88. They last scored more 60 years ago, netting 90 in a 42-game campaign in 1963-64.

Not many would put it past them to smash that record against a Man United side with a penchant for conceding shot after shot.

Three of those goals arrived at the Emirates in September, where Arteta masterminded a 3-1 win over Man United in their most recent head-to-head.

Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus - also omitted from the Brazil Copa America squad - scored on that sunny North London day.

However, the Gunners memorably lost by the same scoreline at the Theatre of Dreams last season, albeit with the caveat of that controversially disallowed Gabriel Martinelli goal.

Paul Tierney was the referee on that day and is the man in the middle here as well.

Fancy another slice of encouragement, Red Devils fans?

Arsenal have not done the double over your team for 17 years, last achieving that feat in the 2006-07 season, where Emmanuel Adebayor struck at Old Trafford.

Do not mention his name in the red half of North London these days, though.

I may not have even celebrated my 10th birthday back then, but I distinctly remember an incredible save Jens Lehmann made from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the same game.

With Golden Glove winner David Raya in between the sticks, it is fair to say Arsenal are - literally - still in safe hands.

Raya already has 15 clean sheets to his name in the 2023-24 Premier League - only Petr Cech has kept more in his debut season for Arsenal, registering 16 in 2015-16.

However, Man United have scored in all of their top-flight home games since the turn of the year.

Whatever happens today for the Red Devils, though, they can still end the season on a high by winning the FA Cup.

The women's team are on the cusp of doing just that - they are 4-0 up against Tottenham Hotspur in today's Wembley final with fewer than 10 minutes to go.

Of course, Louis van Gaal was sacked after leading Man United to FA Cup glory, so another trophy in the cabinet certainly does not assure Ten Hag of managerial safety.

Anyways, the pre-game rambling is almost over. Just 10 minutes to go before Sunday's main event gets underway!

How about a bit of trivia while we wait? Arsenal's William Saliba is just one of two outfield players to play every minute in the Premier League this season, can you guess the other?

Hint, he is also a centre-back.

If you said Max Kilman, well done.

Prediction time? I think so.

I reckon Man United will still find the net - even with Fernandes and Rashford out - but Arsenal's fire will be too hot to handle. 3-1 to the Gunners... again.

We are certainly due for some goals today - both Championship playoff semi-final first legs (Norwich City vs. Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion vs. Southampton) ended goalless.

Stern faces aplenty in the tunnel, but no Patrick Vieira-Roy Keane-esque squabbles. At least not yet.

Here they come! Odegaard and McTominay sporting the armbands and leading their teams out.

Not an empty seat to be seen at the Theatre of Dreams, but will today's game provide more nightmare fuel for the hosts?

Or will Arsenal soon be mourning their title fantasy?

KICKOFF:  Arsenal get us underway in Manchester.

Arsenal on the attack immediately.

Kai Havertz tries to flick a ball to the back stick, but Diallo pokes the ball behind for a corner.

Vital clearance from Wan-Bissaka and United survive the first scare.

SHOT!  Nice link-up between Thomas Partey and Kai Havertz releases Saka, but his effort is tame and straight into Onana's gloves.

Encouraging stuff from the visitors, though.

SHOT!  From one end to the other!

McTominay robs Partey of possession just outside the Arsenal box but Hojlund skies his chance. A big chance at that.

To be fair to Hojlund, his leg buckled and he slipped as the ball left his boot.

Still, see below - big chance.

SHOT!  Better from Man United!

Diallo slips in Garnacho, but Gabriel's leg deflects the ball over for a corner.

Raya can only get fingertips to the set-piece, but it does the job.

Tell you what, Diallo looks really up for this.

A quintessential Rice tackle released Arsenal three-on-three, but Saka's cross is deflected behind for another corner.

CLOSE!  Saka's set-piece is a good one, right on the money for Gabriel, but his header loops over onto the roof of the net.

Heart-in-mouth moment for Rice!

The Englishman slips and sells Raya short with a backpass, but the Spaniard gets there just before McTominay or Hojlund can nip in.

Not a bad start at all from the hosts.

The first 120 seconds or so were ominous, but they are now looking settled in possession and capable of troubling the visitors out wide.

Yellow shirts back on the ball, but an attempted ball to White on the right is overhit and Onana can calmly gather.

Down the other end in the blink of an eye, the Red Devils surge forward, but Leandro Trossard sprints back to prod Diogo Dalot's ball behind for a corner.

Arsenal clear, back to square one.

SHOT!  Dalot is actually on the left today, with Wan-Bissaka on the right.

However, the Portuguese takes up that familiar full-back's central position to let fly from 20 yards, but his shot is high and not handsome.

Not an overwhelming amount of pressing from Arsenal in these early exchanges - fear of making a mistake perhaps?

Trossard is the next to swing a cross in from the left, which misses everyone.

Arsenal now in their passing rhythm, but Man United's defensive structure is good - we are not joking.

Rice is slipped in in the United box, but Casemiro stands up to him twice and prevails twice. Improvement from the Brazilian.

GOAL!  MAN UNITED 0-1 ARSENAL (TROSSARD)

GOAL!  Breakthrough for the Gunners!

From hero to villain, Casemiro plays Kai Havertz onside from Ben White's ball over the top after Man United lose possession straight from a goal kick.

The German advances towards the byline and cuts back for the arriving Trossard, who catches Wan-Bissaka napping and taps home from a yard out.

As it stands, Arsenal are going back to the top of the Premier League.

Either way, Gooners will still need to support Spurs for a couple of hours on Tuesday.

Arsenal immediately attack down the right again, but Ben White's delivery to the back post is a poor one and sails out of play.

Analysis from Sports Mole editor Barney Corkhill:

"That is a huge goal for Arsenal, who may have been beginning to worry about their Old Trafford hoodoo following a good start from Man United.

"Arteta's side showed brilliant game management to take the sting out of that start by spending a spell in unhurried possession just before that goal, and then they upped the tempo at the opportune moment.

"It is dreadful defending from Casemiro, and Wan-Bissaka was caught flat-footed too, and all of a sudden Man United's positive opening 20 minutes counts for nothing."

Dalot brings Saka down inside the Arsenal half - suspect the Arsenal man may rack up a few fouls today.

SHOT!  Casemiro again gets the better of a surging Rice, but the ball breaks for Tomiyasu, whose stinging drive from 20 yards hits the shins of Jonny Evans.

Ben White then has a go from a tight angle, but that one is not troubling Onana.

"Declan Rice, we got him half price!" Chant the Arsenal fans.

The £105m man has not set the world alight so far, but Arsenal are in the lead, and that is really all that counts.

SHOT!  Not quite the curse of the commentator (or live blogger) but Man United just had a bright spell around the Arsenal box.

Casemiro's speculative drive was headed away by Gabriel, though.

SHOT!  No shortage of shots from the hosts, but a shortage of quality.

McTominay's attempt from range now trickles harmlessly wide.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford in attendance at Old Trafford today, as Ten Hag's men up the ante.

Garnacho cuts inside and lets fly, but Tomiyasu is there, and White eventually chests back to Raya.

The lively Diallo takes on Tomiyasu and beats him before taking a tumble on the edge of the box, but Tierney is not interested.

In fact, he steps on the foot of Partey, who was already on the floor.

Diallo is still down receiving treatment.

Partey did have a panicked look on his face as the Ivorian fell to the ground, but no penalty given.

Labour leader and Arsenal fan Sir Keir Starmer also taking in the action, with a much more gleeful expression on his face compared to Ratcliffe.

Diallo now back on the field as Man United win another corner...

The corner is a poor one, and McTominay is penalised for a high boot on Havertz at the near post.

Tierney not allowing the free kick to be taken quickly, though.

Havertz wants a foul, not given.

Alejandro Garnacho charges forward into the left-hand side of the box but is eventually swarmed by yellow shirts, and Arsenal survive.

CHANCE!  Lovely ball out to Garnacho from Diallo, and the Argentine is shown the outside from White.

He accepts the invitation and tries to pull a cross back for a teammate, but Raya is down low quickly to beat away the chance. Promising signs at the end of the half!

Three minutes added on at the end of the first half.

Saliba just landed awkwardly after a nudge from Hojlund, but the Frenchman is quickly back up again and OK to carry on.

Amrabat does what he can do best, bullying Odegaard of the ball in the centre.

He tries to find Hojlund, but Saliba manages the situation well before Mainoo puts in a cross, which Raya claims.

HALF TIME:  MANCHESTER UNITED 0-1 ARSENAL

HALF TIME:  And that's the half!

Man United started brightly and had a good structure about them, but a dilly-dallying Casemiro allowed Havertz and Trossard to link up for the opener.

Diallo has been especially bright for the hosts, but Raya has been relatively untroubled in between the posts.

As things stand, Arteta's men heading back to the summit!

A penny for the thoughts of Man United fans right now.

All of their side's hard work inside the opening 20 minutes undone by one defensive lapse.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have been unyielding at the back, and are yet to face a shot on target.

© Reuters

This poor bloke currently being torn to shreds by the Sky Sports panel right now.

In fairness, had he made a two-second sprint to play Havertz offside for Trossard's opener, Man United may have headed down the tunnel with their clean sheet intact, or better.

Analysis from Sports Mole editor Barney Corkhill:

"Advantage Arsenal at half time, but their fans won't be able to breathe too easily unless they get a second goal.

"Man United have been decent on the whole in that first half, but they haven't really looked like scoring; Amad and Garnacho have shown glimpses of being able to breach that solid Arsenal backline, albeit only in fleeting moments so far.

"The next goal, if there is one, will be crucial in this game. As it stands, it is Casemiro's lazy defending which has been the main difference between two teams in an otherwise even match on the whole."

A bit of debate surrounding that Partey penalty incident at half time.

General consensus is that the Ghanaian's challenge on Diallo was borderline, but not spot-kick worthy.

Might Arteta consider bringing Jorginho on for the second half?

Man United fans look away now - Arsenal have won all 17 Premier League games when leading at the break this season and are unbeaten in 44 such matches, only drawing three of them.

KICKOFF:  Man United get us back underway!

The answer to the Jorginho question is no, by the way.

No changes from either side.

Arsenal comfortable in possession at the start of the second half, Saliba making a couple of marauding runs into the United half.

Once more, though, Casemiro gets the better of Rice on the left. The Brazilian is at least winning that battle so far.

Partey slips in the box while trying to clear but gets away with it!

Saliba and Gabriel bail him out, but that has lifted the home fans a bit.

Watching Diallo confidently take on Tomiyasu just now, it really is beggars belief that this is his first start of the season.

Been the hosts' most encouraging player so far this afternoon.

First Premier League start, that is.

You would suspect there will be a few more to come if he carries on like this.

Nearly some role reversal for Arsenal, but not quite.

Trossard tries to play provider for Havertz, but not even the 6ft 4in German can reach his overhit cross.

A simple pass from Amrabat to Mainoo goes straight out of play for an Arsenal throw.

Sums up Man United's Premier League season, really.

SHOT!  Crucial block from Wan-Bissaka!

Arsenal get some joy in and around the Man United box, but the Red Devils right-back throws his body in the way of Rice's low attempt.

A sense that Arsenal are taking the second half by the scruff of the neck, now.

A corner comes in from Saka, which Saliba flicks on and over at the near post.

Defensive brilliance from Saliba.

Garnacho is advancing at lightning speed into the Arsenal box, but the Frenchman stands up to him and nonchalantly puts a foot in to stop the attack in its tracks.

That really was a typical Saliba tackle. No panic, no diving in, just impeccable timing and execution.

Arteta's management of him amid his three loan spells was questioned, but not any more.

Saka gives away a needless free kick inside the United half for a shove on Jonny Evans.

Just the 13 years separating those two at either end of the experience scale.

SHOT!  A world of space opens up for Garnacho outside the Arsenal box.

He has so much time to open up his body and pick his spot, but his strike is well wide. Had to do better there.

The Argentine is carrying a threat, though.

Another Red Devils surge sees Garnacho race away down the left, but he loses his footing, and White can usher the ball out for a goal kick.

Arsenal cannot afford to let Man United get a foothold in this game, but they are at risk of doing just that.

This time, though, Saka wins his duel with Garnacho, but Man United straight back on the ball.

SHOT!  Arsenal quickly regain possession and attack down the left through Trossard, whose ball to Havertz is helped onto Odegaard via a cheeky German flick.

The Gunners captain cuts inside onto his left boot, but his 20-yard shot is too central to worry Onana.

ARSENAL SUB: Trossard - the goalscorer - off for Gabriel Martinelli.

A useful option against a jaded Man United backline.

SHOT!  Garnacho beats White all ends up, but the ball is eventually worked back to Casemiro some 35 yards from goal.

He tries his luck, but Raya is behind it.

Diallo is down again for Man United, his race might be run as Antony prepares to come on.

MAN UNITED SUB True enough, Diallo trudges off with the physio, looking particularly upset.

Antony is on.

YELLOW CARD!  Back to the corner.

Arsenal play it short, Amrabat outmuscles Saka and Saka fouls Amrabat.

Booking for the 22-year-old.

Never understood short corners, me, especially with Arsenal's height in the box and known threat from set-pieces.

Who am I to question Nicolas Jover's wisdom, though?

SHOT!  Antony straight into the action, evading a sea of yellow shirts and getting a shot away from inside the D, but it is straight into Raya's grateful gloves.

SHOT!  Shots from range are the order of the day for Man United.

Amrabat has a bit of time to pick his spot, but he slips and Rice blocks.

MAN UNITED SUB The returning Kambwala on for Evans, like-for-like change at the back for the hosts.

Just before Kambwala's introduction, Garnacho strode past White down the left but was then thwarted by Saliba.

What a game the Frenchman has had.

CLOSE!  Garnacho into the side netting!

McTominay feeds the tricky teenager out on the left, but he gets no change out of White this time and cannot find the postage stamp from a tight angle.

SAVE!  Brilliant save from Onana!

Martinelli has the beating of Wan-Bissaka as he cuts inside, but he waits an age to get his shot away.

Onana has to acrobatically tip it over the top, though.

This time, the corner is not played short, but Casemiro deals with it.

CLOSE!  With Saka down at the other end, Garnacho speeds away down the left and sees his delivery deflected behind from a corner!

End-to-end as we enter the last 10!

Raya punches the corner clear and Martinelli is one-on-one with Wan-Bissaka, but the United man comes out on top.

ARSENAL SUB:Saka is hobbling off now, an all-too familiar sight.

Jesus takes his place.

SAVE!  DOUBLE SAVE!

Onana firstly saves from his own man as Wan-Bissaka heads on a corner, before pushing a Rice drive behind, and the resulting set-piece is cleared.

Arsenal going for the jugular!

Amrabat delivers an inviting low cross but Gabriel is there to hack the ball away.

Real lack of quality from the hosts in the final third.

As Mainoo and Tomiyasu stay down after a coming together, a flash of lightning and rumble of thunder is heard.

More importantly, can Arsenal weather a late United storm? Ten Hag about to make a triple change it seems.

MAN UNITED SUBS: Christian Eriksen, Omari Forson and Ethan Wheatley are on.

Amrabat, Wan-Bissaka and Rasmus Hojlund - who has been quiet - are withdrawn.

In more important news, a spider has just crawled on my wall before darting out of sight. Now is not the time for arachnophobia, though.

Wheatley is immediately caught offside from a long ball over the top.

Man United survive a scare!

Onana makes a meal out of dealing with Martinelli at his feet, but thankfully for him, Eriksen is there to hack clear.

A minimum of six minutes to be added on here.

Garnacho stays down holding his face after a clash with Jesus, but nothing doing there.

Cross comes in. Raya gathers. Rinse and repeat.

This time, Dalot's delivery from the right is straight at the Spaniard.

ARSENAL SUBS Arteta unsurprisingly brings on Jorginho and Jakub Kiwior for Partey and Odegaard. Time to shut up shop.

SHOT!  The visitors now defending in a 5-4-1 as opposed to their usual 4-4-2.

Garnacho sends an effort wide as the rain pelters down.

YELLOW CARD!  Raya booked for delaying the restart.

Garnacho's cross to the near post finds... you guessed it. Raya.

Might that be that?

FULL TIME:  MAN UNITED 0-1 ARSENAL

FULL TIME:  ARSENAL PREVAIL!

It was not pretty, but who cares about pretty?

Leandro Trossard's goal is the difference, and Arsenal return to the top of the Premier League table for at least another 48 hours. The race for glory WILL go down to the final day!

As for Man United, their already-slim European hopes fade that little bit more, but there is no raining on Arsenal parade in the torrid Mancunian conditions.

Now, Gooners, time to learn some Tottenham chants!

As I go to hunt that spider, we thank you all for joining us for a memorable matchup.
You can check out our match report from Arsenal's triumph here.
Happy Sunday everyone!