It could admittedly have been an even bigger game, had it not been for Wednesday’s 1-1 draw, but it’s still possibly the most consequential fixture between Arsenal and United in over a decade. Maybe longer. Sunday’s game is no longer a meeting of also-rans or faded empires.
It is the Premier League leaders against potential challengers, with Sunday possibly deciding that either way. If it’s not a title showdown yet, it might showcase what’s to come.
Most of that is down to Mikel Arteta, given his transformation of Arsenal over three years, but a lot of it is also down to Ten Hag given his impact over three months. From that perspective, it’s certainly a meeting between two of the brighter managers in the Premier League right now.
The increasing feeling among an excited United squad is that this is the “real deal”. That might sound giddy given the number of false dawns the club have had over the past decade, as they’ve endured a hyper-intense recreation of the 1968-93 period. It is nevertheless based on the reality of what the players can see every day, and how it directly compares to what has come before.
Unlike Jose Mourinho or even Louis van Gaal, Ten Hag is not a manager who is past his prime, primarily using methods from 10 or even 20 years ago. His coaching is at the cutting edge. Unlike Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he has a defined vision of football, and the capabilities to implement it.
Many of the United squad are talking about how this feels like the first modern coaching they’ve had in years, especially when it’s discussed with friends from other clubs and international teammates.Ten Hag’s man-management has been understatedly excellent. The Cristiano Ronaldo circus was handled very deftly. Previously discarded players like Aaron Wan-Bissaka have been re-energised to give their all, having been granted unexpected reprieves. Ten Hag himself appreciated Luke Shaw’s willingness to play at centrehalf, and the vast majority feel involved. The squad have come to appreciate how Ten Hag has a real steel, and that is one notable difference from Solskjaer.
A certain standard has been conditioned by his rules, such as the way Marcus Rashford was dropped for being late for training, despite being on career form. Arteta would appreciate that. Rashford himself loves Ten Hag, and has responded very well to him in terms of man management and tactical coaching. He feels he has a defined role for the first time in years.
Ten Hag has meanwhile even had quips for those on private jets too often. He’s also been watching players’ diets and some have been given new strength and conditioning programmes.
Ten Hag expects similar from his staff, mind. His own worth ethic is described as “incredible”, with the days “long and intense”. He expects similar levels from his coaches.
He also does something distinctive there, too.
If you look at the United bench on Sunday, it will have a reduced staff, possibly only Ten Hag and assistant Steve McClaren. Many of the coaching team are kept back at Carrington. That is for two reasons.
One is to allow input from there, and a broader view. Two is for focus on matchday. Ten Hag felt there were too many people around the United team.
That focus has come across in games. One of the elements that Ten Hag is most pleased by in this recent run is how the team’s resolve has transformed. He feels all of this has conditioned the right mentality in his squad. Only three months ago, after all, it would have been inconceivable that United came back against Manchester City having gone behind. No longer, as last Saturday showed.
Arsenal and United are now two clubs who, from being crisis-ridden for a lot of the last decade, are now in better shape than most of the Premier League. Ten Hag deserves huge credit there, especially given how much work there was to do. He is an ideologue who is capable of considerable compromise. The optimism at Old Trafford is what the team might look like when he has realised his idea.
United boss insists his team knows how to beat arsenal
Ten Hag has lauded Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side as they prepare to face off on Sunday. The United manager insists that the Gunners ‘deserve to be in the position the y’re in now’. Arsenal will want to guard against complacency, however. The last time the two clubs met, Ten Hag got the better of his managerial counterpart, handing Arsenal their only defeat of the Premier League season so far.
“They are on a great run and it’s up to us to beat that run and we will do everything to do that.” Ten Hag added. “We know what to do. We have to be really good and we need a really good performance. If we do, then we have a good chance of getting a good result.”
Arsenal have the chance to regain their eight-point lead at the top of the League table. Manchester United will be without star holding midfielder Casemiro after the Brazilian picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Crystal Palace, meaning he’s suspended for this game. Then again, United beat Arsenal without him last time.
The Dutchman has successfully navigated his new club through a rocky start and the Red Devils are finally starting to show what they’re made of. In-form Marcus Rashford and co. will be hoping to dent Arsenal’s title hopes as the old rivalry reignites.
Goal.com
