Arsenal Vs Manchester United: Don’t do the Unai Emery dance

Arsenal travel to Manchester United on Monday night with the superior players. They have the chance to be brave and play offensive football. But to do that, they may have to overcome the tendencies of their head coach.

Usually when you go to Old Trafford, you are focused on avoiding embarrassment. During the relentless Sir Alex Ferguson years, Manchester United were so superior that the aim of any Old Trafford trip was simply to avoid a defeat by a scoreline of, say, 8-2.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Conclusions in the Chaos

But ever since Ferguson’s retirement six years ago, United have not been the same force. And this season, the decline might be even more pronounced, with the squad looking extremely bare at almost every position bar goalkeeper.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

So when Arsenal head north to Manchester this Monday evening, they need not play with the same fear as yesteryear. Not only is Ole Gunnar Solskjær dealing with a lacking squad in terms of the sheer talent that he has available to him; the squad has been ravaged with injuries, with several star players either expected to miss the match altogether or only just returning from injury.

The race for the top four is expected to be extremely tight this season. Every point is precious. That goes without saying, of course, but when it comes to matches against other sides in the big six, especially those chasing the final two top-four spots, those points are even more important. Man. Utd are anticipated to one of the Gunners’ primary rivals for a top-four finish. What better way to make a statement than to earn a victory in the home of a rival, winning a six-point contest.

Given United’s lacking personnel and form at present, Unai Emery has the perfect chance to enact a bold, brave and aggressive game plan. If his team starts on the front foot, presses high up the pitch and looks to take United on, especially in central midfield, they have a terrific opportunity to win and win comfortably.

Arsenal have proven that they are at their best when they play in an aggressive, front-footed manner, when they look to play offensively, with the control that extended periods of possession provide, and a high defensive line. And United are lacking in a manner that this style of play could dismantle. The only problem? Emery himself.

Emery is a naturally defensive coach. He plays conservatively, even if he professes to want ‘protagonists’ with a high-pressing defensive style. And in these matches, away from the Emirates, he has leant on a conservative approach that has repeatedly undermined his team. He cannot do the same on Monday.

Arsenal must be aggressive, fearless, attacking and brave, everything that Emery frequently is not. They must do the Emery dance, because if they do, United have a chance.