4 things we learned from Arsenal's pre-season victory over Man Utd

A tasty all-Premier League pre-season affair ended with the familiar sight of Arsenal downing Manchester United.

While United got the better of their domestic rivals in the United States last summer, the Red Devils went on to endure a dire 2023/24 Premier League campaign, finishing almost 30 points adrift of Mikel Arteta's burgeoning side. The Gunners completed their first double over Man Utd since 2006/07 and toppled Ten Hag's side again on Saturday night.

Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring for United before Gabriel Jesus restored parity. There was little sense of Saturday's bout being a friendly with the Red Devils particularly keen to let their opponents know they were there. Eventually, though, Gabriel Martinelli struck the decisive blow to seal a pre-season win for the 2024/25 title hopefuls before United claimed a minor victory in the subsequent penalty shootout.

Here are four takeaways from the friendly at SoFi Stadium.

1. Man Utd injury concerns

The arrival of Ruud van Nistelrooy seems to have paid early dividends for Hojlund, who netted the game's opening goal with a finish the Dutchman wouldn't have minded pulling off himself.

It was a scrappy goal, but one Hojlund had to work hard for. The Dane outmuscled young Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven in the left channel, worked his way into the box and poked his effort beyond Karl Hein to hand United an early lead.

Hojlund's joy was short-lived, however, as six minutes later he was forced off through injury. The striker is suspected to have sustained a hamstring injury which could keep him out for some time depending on the severity.

United were then struck by the exit of summer arrival Leny Yoro before half-time with the French defender reportedly dealing with an ankle issue. Ten Hag has been bolstered by the return of Harry Maguire at centre-back, but Lisandro Martinez is currently enjoying an extended break following his Copa America exploits.

While there's hope Yoro hasn't sustained a major issue, missing any length of time at this very early stage of his United career would not be ideal.

2. Gabriel Martinelli keen to bounce back

Having enjoyed a coming-of-age campaign in 2022/23, Martinelli endured a down year last season and is desperate to bounce back in 2024/25.

There were mitigating factors in Martinelli's downturn last time out, including a less cohesive left-hand side and a foot injury which saw him miss much of the run-in. Arsenal instead leant on Leandro Trossard and his clutch gene during the last couple of months of the season, but Arteta will be well aware that a fit and firing Martinelli adds another layer to his varied attack.

The winger is fresh having barely featured for Brazil at the Copa America and certainly seemed spritely during his substitute appearance in Inglewood.

Dogged and determined down the left flank in trademark Martinelli fashion, it was the Brazilian who won Saturday's bitty friendly for Arsenal with a clever finish having driven infield.

Buy your Martinelli stocks for 2024/25, people.

3. Ethan Nwaneri is ready

Arteta has been accused of failing to nurture and harness the development of Arsenal's young guns at a senior level, with several talented graduates moving on or enduring sub-par loan spells.

The truth is it's going to take a special talent to break into this Arsenal team given the current stage of the Mikel Arteta project.

17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri may well have what it takes. The former youngest ever player to appear in the Premier League has excelled at youth level and is now turning heads in pre-season. His experiences for the first team have come few and far between, but his work so far this summer suggests he's ready for the big leap.

Diminutive but strong and wily, Nwaneri is an explosive playmaker who will struggle to get overwhelmed physically. He's got an impressive sense of timing and has shown his ability to execute in the final third. It was his pinpoint delivery that allowed Jesus to equalise in Inglewood during yet another assured summer display.

There's scope for the teenager to earn plenty of minutes as Arsenal's left-sided number eight next season.

4. Battle down Man Utd's flanks

There's a sense at Old Trafford that Amad Diallo's time may be upon us. The winger enjoyed a bright end to 2023/24 and has impressed at the start of United's pre-season, especially in their 2-0 win over Rangers.

"Now this has to be the year [for Amad to step up]," Ten Hag said after United's win in Edinburgh. Amad was picked ahead of Antony for Saturday's friendly against Arsenal and it seems the Brazilian has a big battle on his hands to earn the starting job back.

The return of Jadon Sancho after he ironed things out with the manager means competition is fierce down United's flanks, with Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford the preferred options on the opposite side. Rashford's performance on Saturday offered room for optimism following a poor 2023/24.

Amad was not at his best in this encounter, being replaced by Antony at the break, but the Brazilian was typically ineffective. There's just no way United can endure another season with Antony playing more than a bit-part role.

In Amad, Sancho, Rashford and Garnacho, United's wide options should excite supporters.

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