MY ACCOUNT
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists his players believe they can carry on their winning run at Manchester United despite injury problems in his squad.
Both Aaron Ramsdale and skipper Martin Odegaard are doubts, with Oleksandr Zinchenko, Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny all already absent.
But after picking up their fifth win in a row at home to Aston Villa, the Premier League leaders will fancy halting United’s recent turnaround in form.
Manhcester City’s draw at Aston Villa yesterday evening also presents the Gunners with a chance to go four points clear at the summit after six matches.
“It is a test every single week in the Premier League. We will see it in any game played this weekend and I don’t expect anything different,” Arteta said.
“We’ve won away before, we have to do it again and we believe we are capable of going there, playing our way and winning the match. I don’t think it’s an issue.
“The feeling and energy around the club [is good], the way the team is playing and performing, Then the icing on cake is winning football matches.
“We have to continue to do that, keep doing simple things right and keep playing well.”
United’s £85million signing Antony could make his debut at Old Trafford, though Erik ten Hag will make a late decision on the Brazilian.
The Dutchman was quick to sing the praises of his side’s latest visitors — and pointed to the importance of giving a manager time to build a team.
Ten Hag said: “I have seen Arsenal, a tough opponent, they have started really well as we all know in the season.
“You can see there is a team who are a long time together, with a coach who brings his philosophy in the team. So, this is a good test and I’m really looking forward to it.
“We will pick the right XI to start but as you see, it’s not only a team. We have a squad and also the subs who came on [against Leicester] did really well, so I’m happy with that.
“That is what we have to construct further.”
The Red Devils will be without Anthony Martial again after he missed the previous two games, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw could return to the squad.
New faces
Arsenal desperately tried to land Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz but were unsuccessful with numerous bids.
United, meanwhile, got their deadline day business done early with Antony confirmed in the morning before Martin Dubravka completed his loan move from Newcastle in mid-afternoon.
Did you know?
United have won just one of their last eight Premier League games against Arsenal, though it was a 3-2 victory in this exact fixture last season.
The Gunners have won just one of their last 15 Premier League away games at Old Trafford (D5 L9), picking up a 1-0 victory in November 2020.
Arsenal have lost more Premier League away games against United than they have vs any other opponent (17), while only at Anfield (69) have they conceded more away goals than at Old Trafford (49).
Manchester United have kept just one clean sheet in their last 16 league meetings with Arsenal, a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium in January 2021.
Arsenal are looking to become only the fifth different side to win their opening six Premier League matches in a season, after Newcastle (1994-95), Chelsea (2005-06 & 2009-10), Man City (2016-17) and Liverpool (2018-19 & 2019-20). The Gunners last did so in the top-flight in 1947-48, going on to win the title that year.
The Gunners have not won each of their first three on the road since 2013-14, while only once in their entire history have they kept a clean sheet in their first three away league games (W2 D1 under Bruce Rioch in 1995-96).
