After February 2019 , Manchester United and Arsenal played less than 232 matches against each other , fueling their rivalry .
Other factors for the diminishing importance of the rivalry in the 2010s were the ascendancy of other clubs , including local rivals of both ( Chelsea , Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City ) .Arsenal and Manchester United first played a competitive match in October 1894 ; as of January 2020 , the two clubs have faced each other 233 times in total .
Arsenal F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry