Arsenal are set to face Manchester United at Old Trafford in a crucial game in the Premier League title race, in what promises to be a heated fixture.
It will be the first time the two sides meet since the start of September, which saw Arsenal come from behind to win 3-1 at the Emirates in a dramatic game.
Mikel Arteta’s side equalised immediately through Martin Odegaard after Marcus Rashford’s opening goal, but they suffered a scare as Alejandro Garnacho raced through to put United 2-1 up late on.
However, his goal was ruled out for a tight offside, and Arsenal went on to win through goals from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus, much to Erik ten Hag’s anger.
Ten Hag has since complained about the decision to rule out Garnacho’s goal on several occasions since, despite VAR confirming that the winger was offside courtesy of outstanding awareness from Gabriel Magalhaes, and ahead of the second meeting between the two clubs, his previous comments from this season have been highlighted.
Erik ten Hag’s anger at Garnacho offside in Arsenal v Man Utd
Speaking immediately after the game in September, Ten Hag furiously criticised the decisions given against his side in the damaging defeat in North London.
“It’s not offside. [It’s the] Wrong angle,” he stated of Garnacho’s disallowed goal.
“It is (offside being a black and white decision), so we have to accept it. But I’ve seen the angle. I don’t see it as offside.”
“I think the performance is right. I think we played a very good game,” he added, claiming his side should have won.
“But everything went against us. With a little bit more luck, you win the game.
Ten Hag was still furious two weeks after Arsenal defeat
An International break followed the electric game at the Emirates, but this was not enough time for the Dutchman to cool down over his side’s defeat, as he insisted that his team did not deserve to lose.
“I think we played very well at Arsenal. You could already see before the game, we trained very well, we played very well,” he stated.
“I think we deserved much more at Arsenal, it was not on our side. That was definitely the outcome of our analysis.
Ten Hag was still bitter about Arsenal defeat despite Aston Villa triumph
Months after the meeting between the two sides, Man United secured a late victory over Unai Emery’s Aston Villa in February. However, Ten Hag still used this as an opportunity to defend what his side did when they lost against Arsenal in September.
“I think we can beat any opponent. Away or home. Sometimes away, we have to believe more. We could have won in Arsenal. We actually deserved that win,” he stated after his side won in the 86th minute at Villa Park.
Ten Hag blamed Arsenal defeat for Man Utd poor season
Man United have suffered a difficult season under Ten Hag, and could be set to miss out on European football. However, Ten Hag was still insistent that if Garnacho’s goal had stood at Arsenal, his side would be in a much better position.
“It could be (a turning point). But we have missed so many opportunities. For instance, at Arsenal, was it the fourth game of the season?
“We should have had a penalty for a foul on Rasmus Hojlund. Then we scored with (Alejandro) Garnacho, disallowed. Then we concede a goal which should have always been disallowed. Such moments can help you. Every team needs its moment in a season. We never had it,” he fumed in March, after his side beat Liverpool in the FA Cup.
READ MORE: The 8 worst Arsenal VAR decisions of all time in Premier League games
Erik ten Hag has deflected responsibility from himself for Man Utd defeat at Arsenal
Ten Hag is under serious pressure at United, who will head into the clash against Arsenal with one win from seven, and the visitors will hope to secure their second win in 18 years at Old Trafford.
Despite the pressure on him, Ten Hag clearly does not feel responsible for his side having a goal correctly ruled out, before collapsing from a winning position and conceding from a corner and a counter-attack.
Arsenal fans will now hope that the weight of the pressure on Ten Hag’s shoulders continues to shake Man United, and that they continue their poor run of form which saw them lose 4-0 at Crystal Palace in their previous game.