Those who remember the late nineties and the beginning of the new millennium well, know how big of a factor was the rivalry between Manchester United and Arsenal. Back then, the most important clubs in English football, whose clashes were considered gigantic. Once constantly battling it for the league crown – now waging a completely different kind of battle, the one surviving in the upper echelon of arguably the best league in the world.For almost twenty years on the pitches across England, an intense atmosphere prevailed when it comes to these two (the lengthy rivalry lasted also because of long tenures of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger). Nowadays, ahead of the 205th league clash of the two massive clubs, the euphoria has mostly disappeared. The Red Devils are burdened by the situation on the table and a series of bad results. They are at a new beginning, which is further complicated by the fact that Ralf Rangnick is still not allowed to lead the team from the dugouts because he just got his work permit (he will make his debut against Crystal Palace). On the other hand, Arsenal are in a calmer place, they drastically bettered their form and position in the table, and if they manage to win points at the Theater of Dreams, they might even occupy the fourth place in the standings.Pires reveals he started the famous Vieira – Keane tunnel bust upMikel Arteta managed to consolidate his ranks, but everyone in the ranks of the Gunners should steer clear from creating illusions about possessing some extraordinary quality and possibilities. This was confirmed in the disappointing defeat by Liverpool at Anfield (0-4). However, if Arsenal understand that they have to play matches like the upcoming one with maximum caution, with tactical perfection, they will be able to hope for the continuation of their positive streak.”You know what to expect when you play at that stadium and in front of that audience, against a team that is probably one of the most talented in the league. You know the situation you will face”, Arteta said.”It is very difficult tactically because we don’t know how to prepare the game because formations can vary. So we are more focused on ourselves, what we can do and make sure the team is focused and wins this match”.United’s way of motivating Rangnick – 11,5 million USD if he brings Haaland to the Theater of DreamsIt sounds unreal, but the Gunners have the opportunity to write the history of clashes against the Red Devils tonight – if Arsenal avoid a loss, it will be their seventh match in a row where they haven’t tasted defeat by United. Also, Arsenal have a chance of tying two victories at Old Trafford for the first time since February 1979.However, a lot will depend on the home team in this match, i.e. the ability to recover in a short period of time. Michael Carrick will be next to the pitch again and Cristiano Ronaldo will definitely return to the starting lineup. Harry Maguire is also back in the team, while Rafael Varane, Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani are not ready to return yet. There is a slight uncertainty about Luke Shaw, who missed the matches with Villarreal and Chelsea due to a head injury, but it seems that Carrick will spare him in this match also.Drama on and off the field, great goals, comebacks and vicious tackles – what more can you wish for?“There have been some classics over the years. I’ve been involved in some and watched from afar before I even got here. So, yeah, there’s always been a special feeling around this game and an edge around the fixture. The boys are looking forward to it, we’re looking forward to it” Carrick said before the game.“Arteta was a terrific player, very technical, and that’s the way his teams plays and obviously the way he has coached them in that style shows what type of player he was.”Arsenal hope to see Bukayo Saka back on the pitch – he was injured against Newcastle last weekend, while Granit Xhaka and Sead Kolasinac are out of the rotation for this match. Saka has been training for the previous two days, he is eager to play, and whether that will happen will probably not be known until just before the start of the game.This man is unstoppable: Salah scores a brace in a 4-1 Merseyside derby winHowever, the biggest problem for Arteta at the moment is the fact that captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang is in a serious crisis, he did not score a goal in four Premier League matches in a row. Also, that incredible miss against Newcastle will haunt him in the future and has wounded his self-esteem for sure. Fortunately for Arsenal, that crisis did not affect the results of the team too much.”If we want to play the way we think we should, our attackers have to put pressure on the ball every time. After that miss, a few minutes later we scored in a high pressure situation, after we regained possession and were well placed in the last third of the pitch. That is what I demand. Whether we will score a goal or not, sometimes seconds or millimeters decide, Auba did not lose that capacity,” said Arteta.PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 14TuesdayNewcastle – Norwich 1-1 (0-0)/Wilson 61 pen – Pukki 79/Leeds – Crystal Palace 1-0 (0-0)/Raphina 90+3 pen/WednesdayWatford – Chelsea 1-2 (1-1)/Dennis 43 – Mount 29, Ziyech 72/Wolverhampton – Burnley 0-0West Ham – Brighton 1-1 (1-0)/Souchek 5 – Maupay 89/Southampton – Leicester 2-2 (2-1)/Bednarek 3, Adams 34 – Evans 22, Madison 49/Everton – Liverpool 1-4 (1-2)/Gray 38 – Henderson 9, Salah 19, 64. Diogo Jota 79/Aston Villa – Man.City 1-2 (0-2)/Watkins 47 – Dias 27, Silva 43/Thursday22:30: (1.65) Tottenham (3.80) Brentford (6.25)23:15: (2.10) Man.Utd. (3.50) Arsenal (3.80)
