ArsenalThe next game of this crucial period in January will host them in-form Manchester United.
The pressure will be on, partly because of a quirk of the fixture list Manchester City Arsenal could be just two points behind when they kick off at the Emirates Stadium – although the Gunners have two more games in hand.
What a great boost scarcity is Casemiro? Where to win and lose the game? Can Arsenal avenge their only league defeat of the season? athleticArsenal correspondents Art de Roche and James McNicholas join Manchester United writer Karl Anka to discuss those issues and more.
This is another big game for Arsenal. But how big is it?
James McNicholas: It’s a big game in terms of both clubs’ seasons. Points may have dropped against United Crystal Palace, but anyway, I can’t remember the last time these two teams came into this game in such good form. This could be the highest quality Arsenal vs United game for a while – it’s almost a throwback.
Arteta said in his Friday press conference: “Personally, when I play against United, it feels like the biggest club in the world and the tradition they have in English football, so it’s always special to play against them.”
Art de Roche: It’s not just this weekend that’s huge – it’s the whole month, from an Arsenal perspective. This is a big block that they had to overcome in the conditions Newcastle, Tottenham And Manchester United, and then when you add Manchester City’s fixtures on top of that, it magnifies the importance. Going into the weekend, it’s all about making sure the hard work from the first two league games of the month isn’t undone.
No one will be surprised by how intense this game will be. We’ve seen Pep Guardiola talk about the Etihad Stadium being a bit quieter this week because they’re not particularly fired up, but I don’t think we’ll get that at the Emirates Stadium. That importance is going to feed everyone on the ground.
Quick: Did you expect a side from Tottenham against Manchester City?
McNicholas: I definitely thought there was a chance they would get a result, especially 2-0 up! More fool me: Never rely on the Spurs. I think 6 points from the game against City ChelseaUnited and Tottenham have made impressive comebacks this month and will increase the pressure on Arsenal to keep up the pace.
De Roche: I think everyone Arsenal-related wanted, for one night, Spurs to win! Obviously, everyone knows that City can string together a 10-game winning streak, so the sight of them losing two games in a row would have been fascinating.
What are the key lessons Arsenal can learn from their 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford in September?
McNicholas: Although Arsenal lost this game, I think their overall performance was good. They allowed themselves to get caught on the counter – and that is one of United’s biggest threats.
I think it is encouraging that Arsenal went to Tottenham, a strong counter-attacking team, and controlled them for long periods of the game without allowing them to break. That bit of conservatism – with the full-backs tucking in and not going gung-ho – could give them the protection they need on Sunday.
De Roche: It is true that Arsenal did not play too badly at Old Trafford. One thing that struck me was that they didn’t play themselves in the first half. They began to impose themselves a lot more at the start of the second half – a lot of encouragement came from there.
In the first half, Granit Xhaka In fact he was much deeper than that this season. As the second half began, he was back on top. One lesson — which I think they’ve already taken on board — is to not compromise yourself for another team. If they play they are like that, with constant movement on the pitch from the favourites Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ben White, Martin Odegaard And Xhaka, it will be tough for United – especially without Casemiro. This is my main lesson: be yourself for 90 minutes, not 45.
What did you celebrate on Wednesday night: Michael OllisA stoppage-time equalizer for Crystal Palace or Casemiro’s booking?
McNicholas: I certainly celebrated Casemiro’s booking more than Oles celebrated his goal! For neutrals, I’m sure it’s a shame – Casemiro, Thomas Party and Rhodri Has been an outstanding defensive midfielder this season Premier League And it would have been interesting to see the two of them go head-to-head.
Oh well, poor neutrals – for Arsenal, this is good news. Casemiro has been key to United’s turnaround in form and would have been the man to shut down another of the league’s most in-form players: Martin Odegaard.
De Roche: I was very pleased with the equalizer – not only was it a fantastic goal, but a big thing for Arsenal to separate themselves from anyone who could get close to them. If United beat Palace after beating City, it would have brought a lot of momentum to this game. I think it gives Arsenal a bit of a mental advantage that United got knocked out in midweek, while Arsenal had a full seven days to prepare.
Let’s bring in our Manchester United writer, Karl Anka: How big a loss is Casemiro and how will United rebuild things without him?
Carl Anka: Steve McClaren slumped in his chair in the Crystal Palace dugout as Casemiro was booked for a disgraceful lunge at Wilfried Zaha. Erik ten Haag tried to strike a confident tone, pointing out that United had previously beaten Arsenal without the Brazilian, but that came with the star that Arsenal were also without Thomas Partey.
Referee Robert Jones shows Casemiro a yellow card against Crystal Palace, ruling him out of this weekend’s game (Photo: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/via Getty Images)
Casemiro’s absence means United have no out-and-out ‘No 6-style’ defensive midfielder for Sunday. Scott McTominayA weakness in receiving passes and pressing passes means he is best regarded as an attacking box-to-box player and FredHis technical and physical weaknesses make him a ball-winning midfielder.
Ten Hag could try to replicate the Manchester derby form, playing McFred as his midfield pivot. Christian Erickson as 10 (to compensate for the poor pass of the people behind him) and Bruno Fernandes on the right side.
Arsenal managed to win Leandro Trossard The deal was finalized in time for him to register for the game. Do you think he plays a role?
De Roche: I probably expect 20 minutes off the bench, at most. Of course, he has been left out of some matchday squads Brighton, but there is no major fitness concern. It depends on whether the game situation is correct. Three years into the Arteta reign, we’ve all gotten used to being very frugal with his replacements. The greatest thing he gives Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli And maybe even Eddie Nketia A chance to rest a little. We all saw him needing them at the end of the Tottenham game, so hopefully we’ll see him off the bench – as well Emile Smith Row.
McNicholas: I agree that Arsenal looked a bit sloppy in the latter stages of the derby. This signing immediately improves Arsenal’s depth in attack. There are various scenarios in which I can see him coming in — hopefully, it’s because Arsenal are comfortably in the lead and he can enjoy a nice comfortable debut!
Manchester United’s January signing, the striker Wout WeghorstHe made his debut against Crystal Palace. How did he fare at Selhurst Park and can we expect him to lead the line against Arsenal?
Number: “Very good” was Ten Haag’s assessment of Weyhorst, who held up the ball well against Crystal Palace, but looked somewhat different at the pace of the Premier League.
There is a lot going on ahead of the Dutchman’s continued selection Anthony MarshallThe injury situation is even worse than his own form. Martial’s medical status can be confirmed after he suffered a foot problem and looked uncomfortable during his run against Manchester City last week. Ten Haag ideally want a forward who can press, hold the ball for others, run in behind the defense to stretch play and finish chances himself. Weghorst can do all those things in theory and data sheets. But he does not appear to be the fastest runner.
(Top photo: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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