Arsenal: 4 things we’d like to see vs Manchester United

The season has had its fair share of ups and downs and Arsenal are only 13 matches in. Sitting in the top five prior to the midweek round of fixtures, what happens against Manchester United on Thursday could have major implications for the campaign.

It’s exciting. This fixture, especially at Old Trafford, has tended to lean more on the side of terrifying than exciting over the past decade and a half, even if Mikel Arteta’s side boast a remarkably strong run against the Red Devils.

Avoiding defeat in each of the past six Premier League meetings, a spell that includes three victories, would normally be a source of optimism. However, such statistics don’t tend to have much bearing on the next outcome.

Manchester United are must changed since the 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium last time out and so are Arsenal. New signings, new managers and new styles of play mean this meeting won’t be dictated by what happened in previous encounters, although form might.

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4 things we’d like to see from Arsenal and Mikel Arteta against Manchester United in the Premier League on Thursday

Arsenal boast a five point cushion over their fellow European hopefuls and the prospect of still being above them whatever may come at the full-time whistle should release the pressure valves somewhat. That, and United recording just one win in their previous eight league outings will also have more of a say in the final result.

The unique and engrossing festive period in England will cough up numerous surprises and Arsenal keeping a tentative eye on the results of those around them means they’re doing something right.

Arteta has some interesting selections to make for the Old Trafford visit. There are potential injuries to contend with as well as intriguing decisions to make as the battle between form and experience will be in his thinking at left-back, but whatever team is put out has the capability to win this match.

And winning should be all that is on the mind. Eight points above United after 14 games played where Arsenal have already been to the Etihad, Anfield, Old Trafford, King Power Stadium and hosted Chelsea? You’d have taken that. So, on the quest for three precious points, what do we want to see from the team on Thursday?

1. Guts

Going from Anfield to Newcastle at home was as kind as the fixture list could have been. Getting blown away by four goals against one of Europe’s finest and the hosting the only winless side in the entire Football League gave Arsenal a welcome platform to bounce back.

The disparity of the two fixtures can also pose a mental hurdle to overcome.

Arsenal came out to play against Liverpool. The team was the same, the approach not altered, and the confidence in the group to beat Jurgen Klopp’s side without breaking away from their philosophy demonstrated the belief within the team.

In the end, they got beaten. Comfortably.

Whatever tactical approach the Red Devils opt to use, the same level of commitment to the core principles needs to be on show and any lingering flashbacks for the likes of Nuno Tavares and Sambi Lokonga have to be quelled in the face of a historic stadium.

Some guts from the team in how they build up, press and approach the game is going to be essential in the quest for victory. Newcastle dished up an entirely different prospect and being in the right frame of mind for a game that won’t play out similarly is the first and most important step before a ball is even kicked.

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