As we all know, our next opponent has undergone a bit of change in staff in recent weeks. Manchester United parted ways with Erik Ten Hag in late October and he was replaced permanently by Ruben Amorim, formerly of Sporting Lisbon shortly after, and you can say he has had a positive start to life at United.
In his first three games in charge, he has guided them to a respectable two wins and a draw in all competitions but his biggest test will come when they visit us this midweek. This is despite him bringing back a rejuvenated spirit to the dressing room and more especially, on the pitch. They look so much more cohesive and look like a team with an identity, more than they were under Ten Hag. The Portuguese deserves credit for this. What he deserves credit for is also for how he has been able to bring back to life some key players for United.
One in particular will be a huge worry for the Gunners.
Marcus Rashford has managed to score three goals in his last two starts under Amorim. Scoring first in his very first game in charge against Ipswich Town, as well as hitting a brace in their most recent clash versus Everton.
He did this first playing as the main striker against Ipswich, while scoring the brace as one of the supporting forwards in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation against the Toffees.
His role in the latter should be the biggest concern to us due to the freedom he’ll be getting to run in behind. Against Everton, he and Bruno Fernandes often played off Joshua Zirkzee who came deeper often to play as an inverted striker. This afforded Rashford the chance to use his pace more often. Though he didn’t score from any ball in behind, we’ll have to be wary about that.
The main point of this is actually due to the very good record he has against us in recent seasons. He has scored four goals in the last four competitive meetings between us with all but one of his goals coming from a ball in behind our defence. Since Amorim came, he has found a new found confidence, he looks more assured and that will make him a threat we should be focusing our attentions on.
Other players like Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes will need every bit of attention too but a fully fit Marcus Rashford that is flowing with confidence provides a different kind of threat, we need to keep him quiet!
Of those three players mentioned above, who will provide us with the biggest threat?
BENJAMIN KENNETH.
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When on top of his game Radford is the one that could inflict the most damage.
There are signs this sleeping giant is slowly waking, and fresh from their 4 nil win they could prove stubborn.
They always raised their game against us and this go way back to the most contested rivalry in the modern game of the two old legends.
Arsenal should win comfortably here if a low block tactics is not employ by the visitors
No disrespect to Man Utd, but Arsenal thrives in games like these.
In a few hours time, we will see what they can do
United are not without quality, although players like Fernandez and Rashford are not consistent. It only takes a moment of quality to break a deadlock and they are best on the counter. Rashford is the wild card for me, but if we come with our ‘A’ game, we will out score them even if we concede to a moment of brilliance or to a silly mistake. 3-1!
in terms of Arsenal form and tactics Man U are there for the taking – Arteta will be looking at this as another statement opportunity and add to goal difference
Man U may well score (Arsenal recent poor defensive form is somehow ignored) but Arsenal press and out-of-possession could overwhelm this slow mistake ridden Man U outfit, Arteta and the boys will know this and be up for putting them under massive pressure forcing errors
They do have their players with top quality and so do we, but it all goes down to who have the better team in terms of team work,off the ball anticipation,tactical discipline and attacking prowess. I’m confident in the team to get the deal done tonight. COYG!!!!!
The player who, I think, will pose the biggest threat to us, is the referee.
They usually do.
Thrill and his its always the referee’s fault rants. Change the record please.
Derek:
As for changing the record:
I won’t. Not while it is true.
But the referee has been almost wonderful, tonight, so far, at least.
Disjointed Arsenal midfield.
We manage the goal, so far.
Hoping for more.
Even Saliba scored with his ass.
Wonderful Arsenal.