It was just under two months ago that Arsenal entertained Manchester United in the FA Cup third round. On that occasion, theRed Devils dumped their hosts out of the competition after a penalty shootout victory at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners travel to Manchester hoping to serve revenge on their fierce rivals, a task that would not appear difficult from the outside looking in. United currently sit in 13th place in the Premier League after a tumultuous campaign.
However, Man United have shown they can get results from big games. A surprise victory over Manchester City was followed by a deserved point at Anfield in a fixture many thought the Red Devils should have won.
Arsenal come into this game off the back of an emphatic 7-1 victory in Eindhoven. PSV could not cope with the Gunners’ intensity as they all but booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Man United versus Arsenal has always been a Premier League spectacle, with fans of both clubs set to be in for a treat this weekend.
Arsenal have been superb in Europe during this campaign. Victories over the likes of PSG and Sporting Lisbon meant the Gunners finished the league phase of the Champions League in third place, only conceding three goals.
Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly (Credit: David Price/GettyImages).
Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly (Credit: David Price/GettyImages).
However, the challenge for **Mikel Arteta**’s side has been replicating this form in the Premier League. Recently, the Gunners have faltered in the top flight, picking up just one point from the last six available.
The reason for this is the lack of attackers that Arteta has at his disposal. Injuries to Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli have crippled Arsenal’s offensive threat. Makeshift striker Mikel Merino is doing the best he can, but the Spaniard is not a long-term solution as the spearhead of the Gunners’ team.
Manchester United may be the ideal opportunity for Arsenal to carry their form from Europe into the league. **Ruben Amorim**’s side are unlikely to set up in a defensive low-block at home, benefitting the visitors.
The Gunners’ biggest weakness is arguably playing against such systems. Both West Ham and Nottingham Forest have exploited this in recent weeks, securing a 1-0 win and a 0-0 draw, respectively.
If Man Utd do not set up in a low block, the Gunners will fancy their chances of taking their European momentum into the Premier League.
In Eindhoven, Arsenal were extremely fluid in and out of possession. Not having a recognised striker seemed to benefit the Gunners.
Despite it being touted that most sides need an elite talisman to win major honours, a striker-less system has worked at the highest level. Pep Guardiola has utilised a false-nine at both Barcelona and Man City.
In regards to Arsenal, Mikel Arteta can do something similar. Against PSV, we saw Mikel Merino playing deeper than both Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard. Both midfielders were making runs beyond the former Real Sociedad man.
PSV and Arsenal at the Philips Stadium for the UEFA
PSV and Arsenal at the Philips Stadium for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 (Credit: NurPhoto/GettyImages).
Both PSV centre-backs were left with a dilemma: either mark Merino or pick up the runners in behind. The empathic scoreline suggests that Arteta’s system had worked a treat.
Arteta also utilised his full-backs as inside forwards. Against PSV, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori scored after making late runs into the box. The latter, who used to be an attacker in his youth, made a run comparable to many top strikers as he slid the ball past Walter Benitez.
Arsenal may be lacking in attacking players, but the fluidity of this Gunners side can help cause confusion and be incredibly difficult to play against. It will be interesting to see how Amorim’s Man United approach the game, which is set up to be the game of the weekend.