And the Gunners themselves had lost on the day of December 18th 2018, 3-2 to Southampton. But the chasm between the sides was clear and it was hugely concerning for United that they were lagging miles behind such a mediocre and disjointed Arsenal, who were at the time still trying to find their feet under Unai Emery.
Whatever you think about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's coaching credentials, it's clear in which direction the two teams have gone since — even if United have only overturned 15 points on their New Year's Day opponents in the space of 12 months, now ahead of Arsenal by seven points and seven places in the table.
Because whereas new manager Mikel Arteta is at the start of a new cycle at the Emirates Stadium — one the club were forced into by the chaotic Emery regime — Solskjaer is showing clear signs of progress after a year in the Old Trafford hotseat.
The manager has stayed largely true to his beliefs and United are now benefiting as a result. He's promoted Scott McTominay, Mason Greenwood, Brandon Williams and other homegrown youngsters. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are shouldering responsibility for goals in the forward line after the key departures of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez and others like Fred and Victor Lindelof are buying into the Norwegian's methods.
United's recent signings, Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James, were all wanted by Solskjaer, were eager to sign for him and have bedded in superbly in the space of half a season. Results, after a fair few ups and downs in the past 12 months, are gradually starting to match expectations with consistency getting that bit closer.
In short, it's easy to see that United have a gameplan. Occasionally they lack the nous and quality to carry it through successfully.
But they possess what Arsenal lack, which is clarity and direction, something Arteta is tasked with restoring.
The former Man City assistant boss recently claimed the Gunners were the biggest club in the country, in a swipe at teams like United.
"We are the biggest football club in England, and we have to play a little bit with that arrogance, that belief," Arteta said, as he desperately searches to bring identity back to the north London club, something they've been missing since the height of the Arsene Wenger years.
The muddled thinking has been evident for a while now, but was discernible in a hodgepodge summer transfer window. overseen by Emery and a host of other powers-that-be at executive level.
The arrivals included David Luiz, an erratic and ageing defender discarded by rivals Chelsea; Nicolas Pepe, a pricey £72million last resort who was signed only when Crystal Palace refused to sell Wilfried Zaha; along with Kieran Tierney, William Saliba, Gabriel Martinelli and Dani Ceballos on loan from Real Madrid.
It didn't scream joined-up thinking and neither was Emery focused in his approach and hence the former PSG manager was sacked a month ago.
Manchester United squad train ahead of Arsenal fixture View gallery
United, meanwhile, have been consistent in promoting youth, signing hungry and young British talent and developing a coherent style of play. Okay, their results haven't always reflected the commendable long-term thinking, but the hope is that time will serve them well.
Arteta is a long way from feeling as comfortable as Solskjaer clearly feels in his role.
So whether it's a win, loss or draw at the Emirates on the first day of a new decade, it's clear — on current evidence — which two of these former Premier League giants has the greater chance of returning to English football's summit.
No comments:
Post a Comment
What's your take on this!
Comment here!...