Arsenal take on Manchester United in the Premier League - follow live

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"You can observe his influence" – Mikel Arteta commends Ruben Amorim's initial effect on Manchester United.

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Arsenal welcomes Manchester United to the Emirates Stadium this evening for an exciting Premier League showdown as the hectic winter schedule kicks off.

The Gunners have climbed to second place in the standings, but they are still nine points behind league leaders Liverpool. Mikel Arteta's team has bounced back after a streak of four league matches without a win, achieving consecutive victories against Nottingham Forest and West Ham. They've found their scoring touch again, netting 13 goals in just three games across all competitions, making them a formidable opponent at home.

Ruben Amorim has been given the job of achieving that goal. Since he took over at Manchester United, his team has not lost, securing victories against Bodo/Glimt and Everton after starting with a draw against Ipswich in his debut match. While the manager is committed to pushing his players to do better, he recognizes that beating Arsenal would significantly enhance United's chances of making it into the top four.

Keep up with everything happening at the Emirates Stadium by checking out our live blog below:

Arteta's Journey As A Manager

During the press conference before the match, the Arsenal manager was asked about his experiences since taking on the role. Mikel Arteta shared that he has found the job to be quite 'unpredictable.'

He commented on the unpredictability of his role, noting that he took on a new position halfway through the season under rather unique social conditions, particularly at the football club.

"Then we experienced the Covid pandemic."

"You can plan as much as you'd like, but ultimately, football can lead you down unexpected paths that you couldn't foresee, and you'll have to manage whatever comes your way. Embrace the challenges as they arise, tackle them head-on, and give it your all."

Mike Jones, December 4, 2024, at 6:20 PM

Amorim Discusses Amad's Contract Details

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim believes that the club will successfully reach an agreement for a new contract with Amad Diallo.

"I believe he wants to continue with us, and we definitely want him to stay," Amorim said. "That much is obvious, and we will work out a resolution. One of the key benefits of having Amad is that he contributes a lot to my team."

"He excels in the right wingback role, but he also performs well when moving between the lines. His ball control is impressive, and he appears quicker when he's handling the ball compared to when he isn't. This skill allows him to thrive in both positions and adapt to various tactical setups."

"In the future, we might adopt a different system. He's the type of player who would be beneficial for the team."

Mike Jones on December 4, 2024, at 6:15 PM.

Man Utd Takes On London

Manchester United has managed to secure only two wins in their last 18 away matches in the Premier League against teams from London, and both of these wins were against Fulham.

However, they have secured victories in six out of their last seven midweek Premier League matches, resulting in a total of 38 goals scored during those games.

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Arsenal has returned to their winning form, and Mikel Arteta is happy with the way his team is playing.

The coach emphasized the significance of everyone feeling valued. He pointed out that this has been a recurring theme since the beginning of the season. They often discuss the team’s unity and the importance of each member, highlighting the talent they possess. As the busy schedule continues, with games every three days until March, it’s essential to keep adjusting to ensure everyone stays engaged and plays a role.

"I'm really happy with how the team responded and the way they’ve been performing. Winning our matches convincingly is a great sign and very encouraging."

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Ruben Amorim Faces Tougher Task Than Arteta At Arsenal

A storm is on the horizon, and Manchester United is about to be tested. These were the words of Ruben Amorim, who wasn't trying to spread panic or negativity. The 39-year-old has projected a cheerful yet challenging demeanor; he has acknowledged that he is somewhat taken aback by the enormity of the club. While he knows he has a significant job ahead of him to bring the team back to its former greatness, he also understands that he won't have unlimited time to do so.

He will encounter the most challenging examination of his short time in charge when his team visits Arsenal on Wednesday. He respects Mikel Arteta and views him as an inspiring figure, someone who's already making significant progress in revitalizing a struggling club. However, he emphasizes that Manchester United's situation is unique and should be treated as such. It always is.

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Arteta Discusses December Performance Goals

Last December was challenging for Arsenal, as they faced three losses and a draw, which stalled their advancement in the league at a time when they were hoping to challenge Manchester City for the title.

Mikel Arteta is eager to prevent a repeat of last season's events and mentioned, “We’re optimistic that we have.”

"We obviously had to adjust to our schedule and some specific situations we faced. Despite that, we performed strongly in our competitions, although we fell short of the consistency we aimed for."

"We're on a positive streak right now, gaining strong momentum, and we have an exciting match ahead of us tomorrow evening."

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Arsenal's Recent Encounters With United

In their previous three home matches against Manchester United in the Premier League, Arsenal managed to score three goals in each game.

The most recent team to achieve this feat in consecutive home league matches against the Red Devils was Arsenal, accomplishing it seven times in a row from 1970 to 1978.

Mike Jones, December 4, 2024, at 5:50 PM

Amorim's Challenge For United Players

The Manchester United manager mentioned that his players will encounter challenging situations because they haven't had much time to practice the 3-4-3 formation.

He mentioned that he wants the team to be bold when facing Arsenal and aim for victory. Amorim stated, "At this point, every match is a challenge, especially with limited training time available, and we’re working to balance playing time for our players."

"Certain players have been substituted after 60 or 70 minutes, which makes every match a bit of a challenge. It's difficult for us at United to evaluate, but [Arsenal] seems to be at a different stage with their squad."

Being courageous is key. Instead of always pushing forward, we need to recognize the flow of the game. There are times when we aim to take charge because we realize it’s tough to manage the entire match.

Mike Jones, December 4, 2024, at 5:45 PM.

In the pre-match press conference for today’s game, Mikel Arteta discussed the impact that Ruben Amorim has made at Manchester United, even though he has only managed the team for three matches.

The Arsenal manager mentioned, “You can easily see Amorim’s influence; it's obvious what his intentions are from the start. He's been quite straightforward about it.”

"He’s had great success at Sporting, and what he’s accomplished there over the years is impressive. The style of play of his teams and his approach to the game have really stood out. He injects a lot of energy into the club and inspires the players with fresh ideas, which is always a good thing."

"We're still in the early stages of the season. Any team that can manage to secure five or six consecutive victories will find themselves at the top of the league. It's a tough competition, and every week, we see teams battling to keep up their winning streaks. So, I believe that anything can happen."

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The Arsenal Blueprint For Manchester United Under Amorim

As Arsenal gears up for one of their most significant matches in history, Mikel Arteta finds himself in a bit of a bind. He needs to predict how Ruben Amorim will strategize, which is tricky given that the Manchester United team is still in the early phases of adjusting to their new coach's style. Amorim hasn't fully implemented his core tactics yet, leading to a range of unpredictable factors. This uncertainty is one of the few benefits Amorim has during these initial months in charge.

It's fortunate for Arteta that he can now fully implement his own ideas. Arsenal has quickly transitioned from a prolonged phase of playing cautiously to a period where they can score freely. While Martin Odegaard's return is certainly significant, it seems the whole team has been eager to return to their true potential.

Mike Jones - December 4, 2024, at 5:35 PM