Amorim: Arsenal are the best team I will have faced since Man Utd move

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has said Arsenal will be the biggest challenge he has faced since joining the club, ahead of their visit to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

“They are by far the best team we have played against. But every game is a test. If you have seen the last game.” [against Everton]It was really tough,” Amorim told reporters on Monday.

Despite the magnitude of the task facing Amorim and his new club, he suggested his players should not fear what lies ahead.

'It's important to be brave [on Wednesday]when I say it's brave, it doesn't push higher and higher. It's not the same. You have to understand the game, the moments of the game. We must have the ball, that is an important point.

“We want to have the ball, we want to dominate some moments of the match because you know that in these games it is difficult to control the whole match. We have to be brave and play the match.”

Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, was complimentary of his counterpart ahead of Wednesday's match, Amorim's third in the Premier League.

'You can see his fingerprints [on the club]”You know immediately what he wants to do, I think he has been very clear,” he said at the pre-match press conference.

“He has been very successful at Sporting, it is remarkable what he has achieved after so many years there, especially in the way he has done it and the way his teams have played.

“He brings energy to the club, to the players, new ideas and that is always something positive, but we have to focus on what we have to do.”

5 – Arsenal have scored more than five goals in five away games in all competitions by 2024, a joint record for an English top team in a single calendar year, along with Sunderland in 1892 and Manchester City in 1937. Relentless. pic.twitter.com/1uWL5qexUr

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 30, 2024

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Arsenal – Bukayo Saka

Saka is second only to Mohamed Salah in terms of goal contributions in the Premier League this season, having scored five times and registered 10 assists.

With ten assists in thirteen league matches for Arsenal, Saka is the fourth fastest in Premier League history to reach double figures in assists.

Manchester United – Bruno Fernandes

Fernandes has scored four goals and provided four assists in the seven games in all competitions since Erik ten Hag's departure from Manchester United.

The 30-year-old has created 12 chances in his last four league matches, a Premier League record for that period.

MATCH PREDICTION: ARSENAL WIN

Arsenal have beaten Manchester United in each of the last three league matches between the two, while they have also won five of their last six home games against United.

Mikel Arteta's side came into this match having won each of their last three matches in all competitions by an aggregate score of 13–3.

They are second in the Premier League behind Liverpool, having collected 25 points in 13 games and scoring 26 goals – the same as second.

Manchester United have won just one away match in all competitions this season, against bottom club Southampton in September.

OPTA CHANCE OF WINNING

Arsenal – 62.9%

Draw – 19.8%

Manchester United – 17.3%