The Premier League is set for another exciting edition in the Arsenal-Manchester United rivalry on Sunday, as the Red Devils travel to the Emirates Stadium to face the league leaders.
The timing of the fixture is particularly intriguing for United.
They arrive in North London buoyed by an emphatic 2-0 victory over Manchester City in Michael Carrick’s first game in temporary charge following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.
Confidence looks like it is starting to flow once again at Old Trafford, but a trip to the Emirates represents a far sterner examination of their new manager’s credentials.
Despite a slight dip in form in recent weeks, Arsenal remain the standout side in the division this season and look increasingly well-placed to end their 22-year Premier League title drought.
Mikel Arteta’s side will be keen to further distance themselves from Manchester City at the summit, hoping to extend their seven-point advantage.
However, if Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 win over United earlier in the campaign proved anything, it is that Sunday’s contest is unlikely to be straightforward for the Gunners.
Arteta sets his sights on Premier League title
This season represents Arsenal’s strongest title push under Arteta’s reign, and the Spaniard is clearly motivated to clinch a trophy that has slipped away in previous years.
“I mean, I don’t think anybody has probably more motivation, more hunger, more desire for us to go all the way and win it than me,” Arteta said in his press conference.
“But we know that the only way to do it is focusing and being very present in the moment and doing everything that we have to do today, do it better than tomorrow. That’s it.”
A major factor behind Arsenal’s surge has been the depth and quality of their squad.
Their summer investment has paid dividends, particularly as the Gunners navigated a mid-season injury crisis to many of their first-team players.
Arteta welcomes back Kai Havertz, Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori to full training, meaning he could have a fully fit squad for the first time since the start of the campaign.
“That is something that in the last few years, we have not had for different reasons… have to make sure we use it in the right way to be a better team.” Arteta added.
Arsenal will also draw confidence from their formidable home form.
They are unbeaten at the Emirates in all competitions this season, with nine wins and two draws, and have not lost a home league game to United in four consecutive meetings.
United, meanwhile, are winless in their last six fixtures against the Gunners.
Carrick wants United to prove themselves
Michael Carrick could not have hoped for a better start to his latest spell in the Old Trafford dugout after overseeing a controlled and impressive win over Manchester City.
Yet he knows the challenge awaiting his side on Sunday represents a different beast altogether.
“We understand Arsenal are a good team. They’re a rounded team,” Carrick said.
“They’re all a team and they all play their part. It’s not necessarily one individual who carries them… It’s a challenge, we know that, but we can go there and we can face it head-on. We’ve got good players and we’re a good team as well, so we’ve just proved that.
“We need to keep proving it as we go.”
Carrick can take some encouragement from his 3-2 victory over Arteta’s Arsenal during his interim spell in 2021.
However, this Arsenal side – and this manager – are a different prospect to what came before, something Carrick is acutely aware of.
“There’s not much to take from that moving into this one. It’s a whole new challenge, a whole new game, a whole new group of players.
“More feeding off what we’ve done this week, going into the game and looking forward to it.” he added.
United have produced strong performances against top opposition this season, including Chelsea, Liverpool, Crystal Palace and most recently City.
Based on their display in the reverse fixture and against City, they will believe they are capable of claiming another high-profile scalp.
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What to expect from the tie?
This promises to be a tricky encounter for Arsenal and Arteta was keen to highlight United’s threat on the counter-attack.
“They are so good in a lot of departments, but it is clear that when that team has a space to go in a certain place to activate or run, they become lethal.”
If Arsenal commit too many bodies forward, they risk exposing themselves to United’s transitions, with Bruno Fernandes capable of unlocking defences at a moment’s notice.
The Portuguese playmaker leads the league for assists (nine) and chances created (62).
Ultimately, Arsenal’s defence may prove decisive.
They boast the best defensive record in the league, conceding just 14 goals, can form an effective low and mid block, and remain a significant threat from set pieces, having already scored 14 times from dead-ball situations.
While United created more chances in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford, many were of low quality, with David Raya rarely truly tested.
Moreover, City’s open approach in United’s last outing offered space to counter into – a luxury Arsenal are unlikely to afford them.
In midfield, the mobility of Declan Rice and Arsenal’s physicality could overwhelm a United pairing of Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro, potentially giving the hosts control of the game’s tempo.
Sunday’s clash presents Arsenal with a golden opportunity to strengthen their title charge, but Manchester United will arrive determined to build on newfound momentum.
All signs point to another exciting instalment in one of the Premier League’s great rivalries.
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