Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has now called upon his players to do their “duty” when they face off against Manchester United on Sunday.
Arsenal will travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United on Sunday in a fixture that could have huge ramifications in the Premier League title race.
Whilst the Gunners are also relying on Manchester City dropping points between now and the end of the season, they must also ensure that they win their remaining two matches.
Whilst Manchester United have been in poor form of late, Mikel Arteta cannot allow any complacency to set in amongst his squad. Given the historic rivalry between the two sides, the Red Devils are almost certain to up their game when the North London club make the trip to the north west.
Jamie Carragher believes that Arsenal still have “a great chance” of being crowned champions, but the Gunners cannot afford to let the pressure of the occasion get to them on Sunday.
Arteta has now issued a statement, making it clear how he expects his players to approach this match.
Mikel Arteta sends instruction to Arsenal players ahead of Manchester United encounter
As quoted by the club’s official website, the Spanish coach said: “I’m just in a state at the moment where I just think how I have to feel right now to be in the best place to beat Manchester United. The rest will come.
“I’m really enjoying the journey to win. We weren’t in this position for many years and we are right now and I think it’s our duty, our obligation to really enjoy it, be the best we can be and see where it takes us.”
Given the scale of what is potentially at stake, Arsenal fans may struggle to enjoy the match particularly, but the players have worked their entire careers to reach this stage where they are competing against giant clubs for the biggest prizes in the game. They should enjoy it.
How Arsenal must approach clash with Manchester United
Arsenal will need to step up to the occasion. Their star men, such as Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, will be expected to deliver. Kai Havertz has been described as a big game player in the past and has been in fine form in recent weeks. The German will once again, almost certainly, bear the burden of spearheading the Arsenal attack.
In spite of their recent struggles, Manchester United do pose a real threat. The likes of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Hojlund, amongst others, all have the capacity to hurt the Gunners.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have been described as the best centre-back partnership in the Premier League this season and the Arsenal duo will need to live up to that billing at Old Trafford.