Arteta: Man United a real threat for Arsenal, Odegaard is special

ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta is expecting a tough match against Manchester United despite his side’s good recent record against the Red Devils. 

United head into Sunday’s Premier League tie at the Emirates Stadium on the back of a defeat to bottom team Sheffield United, while Arsenal are on the rise after their wobble in November and December.

The Gunners are unbeaten in 2021, have won five of their last six league matches, and have not lost to United at home in two years but Arteta still considers Saturday’s visitors as tough opponents.

“We know it’s going to be really difficult,” the Spaniard said during his pre-match press conference. 

“They’ve been in top form. They’ve been top of the table, playing really well. We know they are a real threat so we have to be at our best to beat them on Saturday.”

After being just few points above the relegation places, Arsenal’s resurgence has seen them rise to ninth in the table, just four points off the top four places.

Arteta wants his side to maintain their impressive form against Manchester United and beyond.  

“We’re keeping the momentum going, the run going, being very humble and understanding that there are a lot of things we have to improve,” he added. “There is so much we have to do to catch up with many other teams still, and go game by game. Let’s see where we get.”

Norway midfielder Martin Odegaard just joined Arsenal on loan from Real Madrid and Arteta is happy to have the talented star in his squad.

“He’s a player that we followed for some time and we believe that he’s got some special qualities that we need, that we have been missing,” he noted. “Now we have to give him a little bit of time. He hasn’t played that many minutes in Madrid but he’s been training hard and he looks so excited, as we are, to have another big talent at our club.

“It’s a little bit early to decide (if he will play on Saturday). Let’s see how he goes in training and we will see, don’t worry.”

Emile Smith Rowe, the impressive youngster, and Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey are major doubts but Arteta will not rule them out.

He said: “They had some discomforts in different parts, Thomas and Emile, and we will have to see how they evolve. We still have some days until the game but not long so let’s see how they recover.

 Manchester United’s limp performance and defeat to Sheffield United on Wednesday came as a shock but Arteta, who played for Arsenal against the Red Devils in his active days, said he was not surprised.

“It is not a surprise because to beat any team in this league is extremely difficult and people take it for granted,” he explained. “Sheffield United are a really well organised team, they are a threat and they are good at what they do. They lost many games by one goal, where they didn’t deserve to lose. Every game is a [challenge] in this league and anybody can beat anybody, and with the context and circumstances we have this season, it makes it even more difficult.”

Arsenal came from behind to beat Southampton 3-1 in midweek playing eye-catching football, but Arteta wants more.

“Well Southampton had a lot of things that I want to see from our side, but we still have so many things to improve,” he said. “You mention [I have had] three transfer windows and it is still not there, but it’s been over a year since I joined and in a very particular way but things are moving in the direction we want, but I am still very aware of the things we have to get better at.”