Saka Eyes Ninth Win Against Man United as Arsenal Chase Historic Record
Bukayo Saka will be aiming to equal his best win record against a Premier League side when Arsenal host Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening.
The winger has already won eight of the 11 matches he has played against United, scoring three times and providing three assists. Another victory would see him match his tally of nine wins against Crystal Palace and Wolves, achieved in 14 and 12 games respectively.
Saka has lost only once and drawn twice against the Red Devils, starting nine of those encounters and coming off the bench in two.
For Arsenal, the clash carries historic significance. The Gunners are unbeaten in their last six league meetings with United, and a win would mark the first time in the club’s history that they have stretched that run to seven.
The last team to beat United five times in succession in the league was West Bromwich Albion between 1976 and 1980.
Arsenal’s home form adds weight to their ambitions. They remain unbeaten at the Emirates this season across 16 matches in all competitions, scoring 38 goals and conceding just seven.
A victory would also secure their fifth Premier League double over United, though they have only once managed to win both league meetings without conceding, back in the 1901/02 season in the second tier.
United, meanwhile, are struggling away from home. They are winless in their last three league trips, and although they beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in November, they have not recorded back-to-back league wins in London since October 2021.
Arsenal’s defensive solidity has been remarkable, with the team not facing a single shot on target in their last two league matches.
It is the fifth time this season they have achieved that feat, a record unmatched since Chelsea in 2020/21. Only Manchester City have managed more in a single season since 2003/04.
Manager Mikel Arteta boasts an impressive record against United, winning 67% of his 12 league meetings, the highest win rate of any manager to face them at least five times. In contrast, Michael Carrick’s only Premier League win as United’s interim manager came against Arsenal in December 2021.
Adding to Arsenal’s attacking depth, each of their last 11 league goals at the Emirates has been scored by different players, including three own goals.
Declan Rice has also proven influential, with two goals and an assist in his five league appearances against United for the Gunners.
