After December 2018 , Manchester United and Arsenal played more than 229 matches against each other .
Various factors have been suggested for the diminishing importance of the rivalry in the 2010s , such as 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 April 2018 , the two clubs have faced each other 228 times in total .
Arsenal F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry