Manchester United are keen to keep the pressure on City at the top of the table with a win at the Emirates on Saturday evening.
Raheem Sterling’s 96th-minute winner over Southampton mid-week means that City are still leading United in second by eight points. Therefore, while Arsenal currently have a fantastic record at home in the league, winning 12 clashes in a row on their own turf, Jose Mourinho’s men will be prepared to dig deep in order to leave with all three points.
With City demonstrating their vulnerability by having to grind out wins against Huddersfield and Southampton, United see this as the perfect time to pounce and make up some ground if their rivals slip up.
Paul Pogba has spoken about the importance of keeping the pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side with a win this weekend.
“These games that are coming up are very important for the rest of the season,” said Pogba.
“This is Manchester United and Arsenal, we don’t know want to lose to one of the big teams in England and they will want to beat us at their home. But we need three points to get closer to Manchester City. That it is. Away wins help you to win the league so they are very important, and it is a very important game this weekend.”
However, while United claim they’re going to go all-out for the win, it’s hard to imagine them doing anything but park the bus.
Speaking during his presser on Friday afternoon, Jose encouraged his men to play for ‘one point at a time’…
“I play a game at a time and I think it’s the way to do it,” he said. “Yesterday I was watching an interesting movie: Bjorn Borg v John McEnroe. Bjorn’s coach was telling him that all the time. ‘One point at a time, think just about one point’. I tell my players to think just about the game. I always say this.”
One point might be all they’re coming for it seems.
Although Jose has only been defeated twice by Arsene Wenger, the second time was at the Emirates in May when Granit Xhaka and former Red Devil Danny Welbeck netted two goals in three minutes.
Alexandre Lacazette is going to miss out on the clash after picking up a groin injury against Huddersfield, which has given United a bit of a boost. However, it looks as if their key midfielder Nemanja Matic will also be sidelined.