Arsenal could be set to play a behind-closed-doors friendly match against Manchester United later this week, as the clubs try to get injured players back to full fitness.
Social media football insider Arsenal Fixture News reports that they’re hearing an Arsenal XI will face a Manchester United XI in a friendly match behind closed doors on Thursday, November 27th.
There aren’t many other details known at this stage, other than that the intention behind the fixture is to help get injured players back to full fitness.
It’s likely the majority of both teams will be comprised of u21 players, with neither club having many upcoming matches at that level.
The Arsenal u21s are on a winter break from competitive fixtures until January, and Manchester United only have a few English National League Cup and Premier League International Cup fixtures between now and 2026.
So it’s possible former Gunner Chido Obi could join the United XI playing in the match, opposite any Arsenal youngsters too old for u18 football but not quite in the first-team squad.
The Manchester United first team are obviously also free, as they don’t have any European football to fill their midweeks.
The main intention is to get those first-team players ready for senior matches. Mikel Arteta already confirmed that Arsenal would try to organise internal matches to help Gabriel Jesus, who may well be involved on Thursday.
The Gunners also have other players like Martin Odegaard and Viktor Gyokeres closing in on returns to fitness, as well as recent returners like Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke working to get up to speed.
If any of them are looking for minutes after Wednesday’s game against Bayern Munich, Thursday’s friendly should provide the opportunity.