Heading to this afternoon’s crucial match at Old Trafford, Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney admitted he admires Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal.
With five straight victories in the Premier League, the Gunners have had an unbeatable start to the campaign. With a victory over United, they may increase their lead atop the standings to four points. Arsenal has had a strong start to the season and is full of confidence, but their ability to contend for the crown will be put to the test against United.
Arteta has played down speculation that the north London outfit could challenge for the Premier League title this season, but after Manchester City dropped points for a second time this season there is a real opportunity for the Gunners to extend their advantage at the top of the table. Rooney believes his former side will need to show a similar intensity as they did to beat Liverpool earlier this season if they are to stand a chance of beating Arsenal.
In his column for The Times, the former United and Everton star wrote: “United have a lot of quality, and if you get the basics right you give yourselves the platform for the quality to come through. That’s what we saw in victories over Liverpool, Southampton and Leicester City.
“Against this Arsenal side they’ll need the intensity they showed in those wins, especially the one against Liverpool. Their best bet may be to play like my United did in those classic games – pressing aggressively, while hitting Arsenal on the break.
“If you sit in a mid block or low block and are passive against a side who move the ball as quickly and well as Mikel Arteta’s team do, it’s a recipe for trouble.
“I expect a tense, hard game, a bit like the old days – though maybe not quite as much action in the tunnel.”
Rooney highlighted the impact Arteta has had at the Emirates Stadium since replacing Unai Emery as manager back in 2019. Full of praise for the Spaniard, Rooney continued: “I really admire what Arteta is doing. He now has not just quality but energy in his side and recruited brilliantly when he signed Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko.”
Since joining the Gunners from Manchester City in the summer transfer window, Jesus has contributed to six goals in his first five games. He has been a revelation in attack. As he recovers from a knee injury, Zinchenko is unlikely to play against United; Kieran Tierney is expected to stay at left-back instead.
Aaron Ramsdale and Martin Odegaard are being assessed ahead of the clash at Old Trafford, whilst Albert Sambi Lokonga is set to partner Granit Xhaka in midfield once again with Thomas Partey still absent through injury. Arteta will be hoping he avoids any more injuries hampering his squad selection ahead of a busy period of fixtures, starting with United.
