A huge poppy fills the centre circle as the players strip down to their kits. There shall be a minute's silence to mark Remembrance Sunday next week and mark the passing of United legend Nobby Stiles.

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Mikel Arteta, dressed immaculately in all black, leads Arsenal out. And here comes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, both managers lay wreaths in the centre of the pitch.

Everton

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti, speaking to BBC MOTD: "Some quality was missing, some speed and attention. The game was imbalanced. We wanted to wait for the opportunity. But they got the penalty from a lack of concentration. That made it a lot more difficult.

"They are important players missing. When you don't have these players you have to play differently, maybe with less quality but with more focus. The goals we conceded, we lacked focus. We have to try and recover players for the next games.

"We can defend better and avoid the penalty.

"I wanted to give an opportunity to Robin to be part of this group and team. After this, Jordan will be back. Robin will play again, but not against United."

Almost time to get the show on the road then. Old Trafford looks even more cavernous than usual while empty. Ominously massive.

Just make this the official kit and be done with it.

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Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce, speaking to Sky Sports: "We knew it would be a battle against one of the great managers. He has had a few problems with injuries but I couldn't be more pleased. We deserved it.

"I don't know where we got six minutes from at the end. They threw everything at at us and the goal makes it edgy. We're trying to do things a different way and be more expansive but it is a work in progress. We have to do what is best for the team. They are comfortable at the moment.

"If I'm going to be honest, it seems like very little contact means a penalty these days. If it was against me I would be disappointed. But we can't keep complaining about it. It is what it is. It was our turn and we will take it.

"When you play a good team tactically you have to be right. It wasn't much of a spectacle in the first half but once we got the goal... all in all it is a good day's work for us."

Probably worth pointing out that Everton are still second in the table and were without three of their best players today. Arguably.

There are now three points between second and 12th.

Everton

Everton defender Michael Keane speaking to Sky Sports:

"We gave a few sloppy goals away. The first one, the penalty, looked really soft. The second was a counter-attack which we’ve been trying to stop.

"We shouldn’t be relying on scoring three goals every week to win a game.

"I thought Robin (Olsen) did really well. He did everything that was asked of him and made a good save. It’s good to have that competition for places as it brings the best out of people.

"We’ve had two really bad weeks; we need to snap out of this as soon as possible."

Michael Reid: So basically Wan-Bissaka has to deal with Auba, Saka and Tierney all game as United have no wide players. Easy, right?

Heatah: Hopefully arsenal trying a 4-2-3-1 with Elneny and Partey holding. Saka with a free role in the middle flanked by Auba and Willian

James Beswick: Big blow for Utd in that team news, with neither David Luiz or Xhaka starting...

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Today also marks 100 games for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Manchester United boss (including the 19 he spent as caretaker boss).

His current record reads like this:

Won: 56. Drawn: 20. Lost: 23. Goals for: 186. Goals against: 103

Points per game: 1.90.

What's the verdict?

Tim Cahill
Former Everton midfielder on Football Focus

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I think he’s inherited a job that’s been difficult. At the same time he’s a young manager still finding his way, adding talent and making big signings.

There’s a lot of midfielders and going forward but defensively, it’s something that he’s navigating. He’s dealing with it well.

Alex Scott
Former England and Arsenal defender on Football Focus

I don’t think Arsenal have the biggest squad. Defensively, I think they’ve got the second best stats in the Premier League.

It’s finding that balance now where you’re not conceding goals, but getting that flair back.

So Jordan Pickford has served his time? Back in for the next game?

Everton

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was not a good performance. The game was imbalanced. They opened the score and we were slow in the counter. The game is changed after the first goal. We wake up after but our performance was not good.

"The penalty was clear. Nothing to say.

"We knew what this kind of game would be like. We didn't have opportunities. We needed to continue and not let them have a gift. We had a good reaction to 2-0 down but it was not enough.

"Robin (Olsen) did well. He did his job. He deserves to play. Jordan will be back. We have two really good keepers and this is what we need. Robin will play again. I don't know when but next game, Jordan will be back.

"We need to recover some players who are injured. But we need to be focused. It is a moment that we suffer a bit after a good start."

Paul Pogba does start today but Kieron was speaking before that - obviously.

Kieron Dyer
Former England and Newcastle midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

For them to go onto the next level, Manchester United need to get a centre-back. I know they've got Harry Maguire but they need someone of Virgil van Dijk's quality.

Have they progressed? I'm not so sure. If they sort out their defence then they'll kick on.

Pogba's not even getting into the team. That shows you the midfield strength they have.

Christian Evans: This is why no team outside the regulation 'big six' has a chance of winning the league, no consistency, only the big six are capable of putting together a run of 15-20 games unbeaten

Lee Williams: Well the Merseyside “power shift” didn’t last long....

Today will be the first league meeting between Arsenal and Man Utd with both teams in the bottom half of the table since October 1936.

Jarrow March era. That is a long time ago indeed.

Who will finish higher this season?