What Arsenal really wanted to see from the Europa League clash between Manchester United and the Danish club FC Midtjylland at Old Trafford last night was an exhausting match that went to extra time and penalties. And a confidence destroying early exit against an unfancied club would have been nice as well but we cannot always get what we want.
What we did not want, though, was for United to find some form in front of goal and score five goals, as that is likely to give the players a timely boost ahead of their clash with the Gunners on Sunday, so how much should Arsenal fans worry about the effect this big win in Europe will have on our next Premier League opponents?
Only time will tell, of course, but I do not think we need to be too concerned. After all their injury situation is still desperate and it meant that they had to play just about all of the first team players available. And they had to work hard because for a long time last night the result was in the balance and they only sealed qualification in the last 15 minutes.
They also went behind to a pretty poor side that has not played for the last two months and they will find Arsenal a much tougher prospect. Yes Memphis Depay enjoyed himself and gave the Danish right back a torrid time but Hector Bellerin is a different obstacle entirely. And the same can be said of their young striker Rashford who scored a debut double.
Also, we should not underestimate the impact that losing Anthony Martial in the build up will have on United. It was a hamstring twinge and even though it is apparently a minor one I cannot see Louis van Gaal risking him just a couple of days later as Martial is the main man and they need him for the rest of the season.
United may have had a morale boosting win but they are still in big trouble and I reckon they will be there for the taking if Arsenal play anything like we can? Are you worried about Sunday’s meeting?