Arsenal Vs Manchester United: A hot Spur to victory

With Spurs’ shock loss to Southampton buoying Arsenal’s top-four chances, Unai Emery knows a victory against Manchester United is all the more imperative.

Coming back to draw with Arsenal just one week ago, followed by a sturdy second leg Champions League victory against Dortmund days later, is a lot of emotion. That a let down could be expected for Tottenham, did not require a seer. By the end of the second half between Tottenham and Southampton, new hope had been born for Arsenal. All without lacing even a single boot.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Rubbish Rennes, Article of the Week

With Arsenal failing to close the door against Tottenham, followed by a complete fiasco Thursday in France against Rennes, a sharp break couldn’t have come at a better time. Beating a remarkably confident Manchester United team in the Emirates is the only option. Losing to them, while not closing ranks on a vulnerable, newly beaten Spurs team would be a serious, perhaps mortal blow, for top-four contention.

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A victory sees Arsenal into fourth place, two points ahead of Manchester United. The stunning loss by Spurs would leave them just one point ahead. This has been the best case scenario since the draw against Tottenham, after the unfortunate penalty miss by Pierre Emerick Aubamayang. That it did happen, is surely more than most expected.

Outside of the unquestionable practical necessity for beating United, and avenging the January 25th FA Cup loss at Old Trafford, the emotional relief and benefits could be as priceless. Following the difficult defeat against Rennes in the Europa League Round of 16 first leg, momentum would be repossessed at Manchester’s expense. Rennes in North London on Thursday feels even less intimidating, even more free-spirited, with a brilliant Sunday Premier League victory.

Buoying team confidence during the recent storm of red cards is crucial. Weathering the difficult stretch of both remaining competitions as well would provide invaluable confidence going into the International break.

Newcastle coming to London on April 1st is no laughing matter. All fooling aside, coming out of the break in fourth place, one off of third, having also comeback to storm into the last eight of the Europa League would be seismic. It would be the closest and most favorable of positions domestically since Arsenal last graced the Champions League. Europa League progress is of equal significance, both practically and psychologically.

Managers who demonstrate progress, creation, ambition, vision and passion are those managers that change, or perhaps reinvent, club cultures. Unai Emery is in the thick of this experience right now.

That does not happen overnight, and the players are of remarkable responsibility in their reactions to those traits and characteristics. They have shown a propensity to show up big at times, and to sleepwalk through expected strolls through the proverbial park. In a campaign of desired perpetual growth, Manchester United is simply another measuring stick for Arsenal. Bouncing back to take two matches out of three in seven days would simply be another stepping stone on the way to a rather successful season.

After the last week, they’d have to be daft to feel anything less than spurred on about what they control moving forward. To see those feelings materialize tangibly will be to make the next week undefeated.