Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has told his teammates to ‘control’ one ‘important’ aspect when they visit Manchester United in a must-win match amid the title run-in.
The Gunners head to Old Trafford in their penultimate fixture of the season this Sunday. But visits to Manchester United have rarely returned wins in recent terms for Arsenal. The north London side have only won one of their last 16 trips to the Red Devils in the Premier League.
Since September 2006, the only time the Emirates Stadium natives have won at Old Trafford came in November 2020. Arsenal have also drawn five of their last 16 games at Manchester United. Boss Mikel Arteta has seen his squad lose 3-2 and 3-1 in their past two trips, as well.
Martin Odegaard urges Arsenal to ‘control the emotions’ at Manchester United
A penalty by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the 69th minute gifted Arsenal their only win at Manchester United since 2006. Referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot after Paul Pogba had fouled Hector Bellerin. Now, Arteta must replicate their victory if Arsenal are to win the title.
The Gunners continue to top the table with 83 points from 36 games, along with having the best attack with 88 goals and best defence with 28 conceded. But Manchester City sit just a point behind Arsenal and continue to have a fixture in hand as the end of this season nears.
READ MORE: How much Arsenal paid to sign every first-team player in the transfer market
So, Odegaard has now urged his Arsenal teammates to control their emotions when they go to Manchester United on Sunday. Manchester City may also top the standings come kick-off at Old Trafford as Pep Guardiola’s three-time reigning champions go to Fulham this Saturday.
“It is important to control the emotions,” Odegaard said, via quotes by the Mirror. “We have played in a lot of big stadiums and it is a normal thing for us. We go to United with one goal, and that’s to get the three points.”
Arsenal already need an unlikely favour to win the Premier League title
Arsenal will require a miracle to win their first Premier League title in 20 years if they do not win at Manchester United. The Gunners already conceded control of the title race by losing to Aston Villa, so cannot need the Citizens to drop points in two of their final three matches.
READ MORE: All Arsenal player wages for the 2023/24 season, ranked
Arteta is already relying on favours from Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur or West Ham United to lift the title. But their luck might not be in as Cottagers manager Marco Silva has never taken a single point against Guardiola over their 12 games, including nine Premier League defeats.
David Moyes has also only beaten Guardiola once through their 15 meetings and sealed that win in the EFL Cup. West Ham also only beat Manchester City 5-3 on penalties. So, the Irons may also not be the team to come to Arsenal’s aid in Moyes’ last fixture as West Ham’s boss.