Manchester United FC v Everton FC - Premier League
Ruben Amorim has made an impressive start to his Man Utd tenure
Louis Saha fears Ruben Amorim faces the sternest test of his Manchester United tenure to date when the Red Devils face a rejuvenated Arsenal.
The Gunners appear to have got their season back on track following three straight victories which have seen Mikel Arteta’s men amass 13 goals.
United, meanwhile, have shown signs of promise under their new boss who has presided over two wins and a draw in his first three games at the helm.
Saha, however, acknowledges an in-form Arsenal will represent a totally different proposition at the Emirates Stadium this evening.
‘The players need to actually use this platform against Arsenal to create an improvement benchmark. Arsenal is definitely a different type of animal to the opponents that Amorim has faced so far,’ he told Casino Utan Spelpaus
‘The quality of Arsenal going forward is just amazing and will provide way more trouble that we had against Everton. Definitely, it’s going to be a big test and United need to be in their top form and full of confidence.
‘Tactically, it will maybe provide a bit more understanding, because he may have chosen a certain type of plan based on the players that he’s got. Maybe you will see something closer to the first 11 that he wants to play week in week out.
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‘It will be a huge test, but if they do win, it’s a massive statement. I’m sure the manager is looking forward to this type of fixture.’
Central to Arsenal’s revival have been the performances of skipper Martin Odegaard who has hit the ground running since recovering from the ankle injury which ruled him out of 12 games.
‘Odegaard is someone that I really like,’ added Saha. ‘His intelligence as a provider is similar to Bruno Fernandes. I like his capacity to be In and out of the box. The area that he’s playing, sometimes he’s playing deep, sometimes he’s playing really high.
Chelsea FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Martin Odegaard has been in superb form since returning from injury
‘He provides the connection with the midfield and the strikers, so I really like his positioning. I would think that that’s what United needs to create chances, to create a high tempo, to create a bit of extra quality.
‘Technically, when there is a bit of pressure, you can still give him the ball and it doesn’t matter to him.
‘So I would say Odegaard, even if I think physically, we perhaps need a player like Declan Rice in midfield.’
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