Arsenal v Manchester United Sunday 25th Jan 430 PM KO

Sicario2

The big one.

Win this and I think it’s psychologically huge for our title ambitions.

We may go into this game with City being 4 behind as they play Wolves at home the day before so we got to make sure we deal with that emotionally.

Man Utd have more or less a clean bill of health, new manager bounce and come off a morale boosting win over their City neighbours.

They will be up for this no doubt but their recent confidence could work in our favour. I don’t think they will be playing low block like they did last league game at Emirates.

Still want revenge from the last time we played them at Emirates (FA Cup, Jan 2025). This time we got to make sure we take our chances.

Hopefully one of Cala/Hincapie is back for this one and then the rest of the team picks its self.
Gyo for me ahead of Jesus.

We have a free hit mid week so we should go all out on Sunday. The chance to at minimum keep our lead as 7 points in the end of Jan is huge (there are only 3 league games played in the month of Feb).

COYG

Burnwinter

Sicario2 The big one.

The big one's in April at the Etihad for me.

This is big because every league match is big, but this isn't a match for us to be blowing out of proportion. We can just prepare for it normally with the intent to win. I don't think the "Carrick bounce" is real any more than I think Amorim had Arteta's number. United evidently are nothing special.

Let's get three points and march on.

lorddulaarsenal

Must…

Sicario2

Burnwinter
As it stands, this is bigger than City away. We may be miles above them come that game.

The issue is Carrick has already beaten Arteta once (Dec 2021). So Arteta must get revenge.

Burnwinter

Sicario2 So Arteta must get revenge.

😆😂🤭

You'll always find a way. I recognise it's a real talent.

This possible 3 points at home versus United is not as big as visiting City at the Etihad. It's still important but only in the way every league match is.

That's because there's practically zero chance of United challenging for the title. City on the other hand might still be a proverbial six-pointer.

Don't worry I know you'll still tell me I'm wrong, I just wanted to lay out my reasoning so it would be funnier when you did.

QuincyAbeyie

Burnwinter This possible 3 points at home versus United is not as big as visiting City at the Etihad. It's still important but only in the way every league match is.

You don't appear to consider the most important part - that failing to win on Sunday would bring a tiny bit of joy and hope to millions of horrible people. Maybe even a smile on their face. Ugh.

Sicario2

Burnwinter bro have you seen Last Dance? Michael Jordan is my hero. Revenge and proving ppl wrong is the biggest leverage in sport (imo).

The next game is always the most important game esp in the context of Utd having a fresh week and new manager bounce and being our bitter old skool rival.

Forget April, the most important game is this Sunday. More wins in the next 3-4 makes the City game less crucial.

awooga83

We've often struggled with United even when they have been in much worse condition so I'm making no assumptions about how it will go. Expect the usual pattern either we can get a goal in the first 25 or so minutes and it allows us to try to follow our plan. Or it doesn't happen and as usual the opponents get very comfortable and the game becomes more of a coin toss.

Qwiss

QuincyAbeyie And too many of those people are on television which makes it even worse.

Burnwinter

Sicario2 bro have you seen Last Dance? Michael Jordan is my hero. Revenge and proving ppl wrong is the biggest leverage in sport (imo).

I don't remember Jordan announcing he was going to get revenge on a granny crossing the road. I can guarantee Carrick hasn't been on Arteta's radar till the last couple of weeks of Keeping Up With the Uniteds.

Panda

They'll be very dangerous on the break.

Hoping for a big performance as we'll need it to come away with all 3pts.

MistaT

Going to be an intriguing game.

They have a lot to play for; both pride (it was Amorim holding them back, not the players) and to keep pace with Liverpool for Champions League. Their shift to a 4-2-3-1 certainly fits their players better than the 3-4-3, but I'm not sure it will necessarily set them up for success against us.

Fernandes the key, and I'm curious if we'll see Zubimendi tight to him or one of our CBs.

I'm excited to see Timber/White, Odegaard and Saka against their left flank, because they've got some easy targets there in Mainoo, Shaw and Dorgu.

tazmania

3 points, don't care how.
It could come off Gabriel's ear from a 5th minute corner for all I care.

GooneriC

Mbuemo and Amad will be very dangerous on the break. They will look to bypass our high line at every opportunity

Qwiss

Burnwinter you need to watch the directors cut.

banduan

another game to controlball the fuck out off. Am ready for it.

Claudius

banduan another game to controlball the fuck out off. Am ready for it.

If you think there is some inclination towards this so-called “control-ball”, you’re not actually paying attention to how different opponents play us. The Inter-Arsenal game was relatively jeopardy-free for both teams. Inter played open and just don’t have the physicality to match us. And we tore them apart.

United know they are the best countering team in England, so will likely absorb pressure and spring fast breaks.

Burnwinter

Qwiss [footage of Jordan behind the wheel, delayed at the zebra crossing] ... [cuts to interview set] ... and that's when I knew I had to get even. But first, I was gonna have to do something about this Carrick.

HomeSteak

Nice to hear about Hincapie and Califiori. Both face late fitness tests so worst case scenario they miss out this weekend but can get some minutes vs Kairat.

Panda

Need to go full pelt here and rotate them all against Kairat even the keeper lol.

--

Claudius it’s not a negative you know. Those are my exact sentiments as well. It implies we will not be as open and easy to counter on as City was, and will constrict united to death, while sniffing out their pathetic attempts to counter. Don’t feel the need to defend Arteta all the time. Even those of us who don’t like our football aren’t blind to its effectiveness, and are hungry to win the league.

banduan

Claudius If you think there is some inclination towards this so-called “control-ball”, you’re not actually paying attention to how different opponents play us. The Inter-Arsenal game was relatively jeopardy-free for both teams. Inter played open and just don’t have the physicality to match us. And we tore them apart.

United know they are the best countering team in England, so will likely absorb pressure and spring fast breaks.

yes... but that's the point of control-ball. To be ready for the fast breaks, ideally cutting it out at source.