Manchester United may be without midfielder Casemiro for this Sunday’s clash at Emirates Stadium but Mikel Arteta has warned his side against any complacency, pointing out the Brazil international wasn’t part of the squad that beat the Gunners at Old Trafford in September.
Casemiro has been a vital cog in the Red Devils’ midfield since arriving from Real Madrid but picked up a fifth yellow card against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night which means he’ll be suspended when his teammates head to the Emirates.
United have lost only once in their last 10 Premier League matches and will be considered genuine title challengers if they secure a first league win away at Arsenal since 2017.
“It’s something that we can’t control [his absence], but he didn’t play in our first game either and we still didn’t do enough to win that match,” said Arteta in his pre-game press conference.
“When you look at their squad they have, they have the individuals and collective organisation to beat any opponent in this league but we’ll plan the game knowing he won’t be available, that’s for sure.”
United’s 3-1 win against the Gunners remains Arteta’s only league defeat of the season. Asked if he and his players will be motivated by revenge this weekend, he responded: “We have to learn, there were some important lessons in that game and the reason why we lost it when in many moments we had total control of the game.
“We know it’s one of the qualities of United when you are in control of the match, the game gets away from you because they have so much individual talent, good organisations and many ways to cause problems. We have to be at our best to win on Sunday.”
Casemiro’s late card at Selhurst Park wasn’t the only blow for manager Erik Ten Hag. In stoppage time, he stood helpless on the touchline as Michael Olise crashed home an incredible free-kick to deny his side the three points they probably deserved. It was their first dropped points in the league in six outings.
Asked whether the wind will have been taken out of United’s sails by the late equaliser, Arteta continued: “I don’t know. What happens with the other teams and results…there’s still half of the league [season] to go. There are a lot of twists and turns still to go. We have to be consistent in what we do, play the best possible way and the rest will take care of itself.”
He added: “The history and the clashes and the way those two sides [Arsenal and United] have competed, it tells you everything you need to know about the match, it’s a huge game in the league, the country, around the world and we have to prepare for that. The table says what it says this season, right now. Our main focus is on being prepared for a big match.”
Given Ten Hag has only had one transfer window to change things at Old Trafford, the progress made by United since his arrival in April has been impressive. Arguably his biggest success was seeing off the challenge posed to his authority by Ronaldo, who departed the club on the eve of the World Cup. They’ve not looked back since and Arteta couldn’t hide his admiration for his opposite number.
“It’s really impressive, he’s turned things around pretty quickly” he said. “He has implemented a very clear way of playing, the players have bought into it, they have really good energy around the place and a lot of things have changed in a short space of time so credit to him and his coaching staff for what they’ve done.”
Hope the ref is better than the last match v United. Home match, the fans will be our extra man. COYG!!!
So it will be 12 vs 12
12 vs 10 if they play the mcfred midfield.
It was VAR that screwed us, the ref never gave the foul for our ‘first’ goal.
Keep hoping it’s Anthony Taylor.
Let’s go gunners!
Revenge is long overdue
True, but we didn’t get it against Newcastle and Utd are on a better run. We’ll need to be at the top of our game to get the full three point “revenge”.
Newcastle only has the best defence in the league right now.
Can’t wait to see Bruno crying like he always does
I think it’s safe to say that Utd are the most “in form” team we’ve played so far so it will be a good test.
With City’s second half demolition of Sp*rs yesterday, a point will really be the least we need from the Utd game.
They’ve only taken 33% of the points on offer in their last 1 games.
Put those fkers in their place! COYG, statement time!
Based on what Blogs had to say on the Casimiro situation I’m not feeling too good about our players having to endure 90+ minutes of McTominay. Does he even know it’s football ges playing? Looks more like he got lost on his way to a pub punch up.
I think it more likely that Fred will takes his place and go man for man on MØ.
So McTominay kicking our players with impunity or enduring Fred’s shit hair? Plague or cholera?
United’s number one weapon will be VAR on Sunday. I called it before the last game and I call it again. The VAR bastards are pro-united.
Even Manure fans acknowledge Rashford was offside
Varchester United.
Can’t stand those cunts and their fans – cunt sneezes.
Arteta’s shown them a bit of respect there… If have gone with “fuck those cunts, we’re going to smash them right up”.
Probably not the best way to ward off complacency, but I get your point
It’s a press conference, what did you expect? Bet he’s more direct off record… Scratch that. After AON we know how he speaks with the team
3-0 to the Arsenal. COYG!!!
Sorry Mikel.
They are twats and anyone associated with them is tainted for life
Possible Camavinga loan incoming.
NOW you’re talking, Edu.
👏 😊
Ha, however much I would love this to be true it smells like a loada 💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩
As did Odegaard at the time. Out of favor midfielder, they need cash, a loan makes sense.
Why do they need cash?
Don’t see it happening. Can’t see Real letting him go with Tchouemeni being injured. Be great if it happens though, he’s an excellent talent.
The biggest threat is the FA in derailing our challenge for the league. Apparently Azeez has now been charged for clearing a flare form the field on his loan with Wigan.
No action against Richarlison. Nothing to see here, move along everyone.
Arteta comes as a real gentleman in comparison to ManU coach, seems to me.
we know how they are going to set up like they were at home playing like an away team, sitting deep with 9 men behind the ball to launch it to rashford for him to run onto or hold up for others to get up the pitch, basically how we got suckered into our loss this season, the goal we got which was ridiculously chalked off had a major impact on the game, looking back it was a pivotal game to how good we were on the day which we have displayed to every game since, another Spuds 1st half… Read more »