How Arsenal and Man United measure up ahead of the big clash
TALE OF THE TAPE: Ten Hag’s £687m team has cost over 50 per cent MORE than Arteta’s, and Rashford is on fire… but Man United have struggled at the Emirates and the form guide favours Arsenal
- Manchester United and Arsenal meet at the Emirates on Sunday in a huge match
- The Gunners have made north London a fortress and are yet to lose at home
- Erik ten Hag’s team are the only club to have beaten them in the Premier League
Arsenal and Manchester United face off at the Emirates on Sunday evening in a titanic clash which could have significant bearing on the Premier League title race.
Both clubs are steeped in a rich history filled with mesmerising players, winning pedigree and of course, splashing the cash.
While Arsenal against United may not have the same spice as it did in the early 2000s, Sunday promises to be a fierce contest in north London.
Ahead of the game, Sportsmail delivers a tale of the tape on both Mikel Arteta and Erik ten Hag’s squads to see how they compare beyond their lofty league placings.
Mikel Arteta (left) and Erik ten Hag have their sides firing ahead of Sunday’s clash
Ten Hag has taken charge of just one game against the Gunners, defeating Arteta’s side 3-1 at Old Trafford in September in a fiercely-competitive contest.
Meanwhile, the Spaniard has a marginally positive record against the Red Devils; winning three of six encounters and losing twice.
Arteta has not kept a clean sheet against Marcus Rashford and co. in his last three games against United, conceding seven — extending back to December 2021.
Rashford scored a brace in the win earlier this season at Old Trafford. While Manchester United may not be missing Cristiano Ronaldo, Arsenal may be grateful for his absence, given his record of three goals in his last two against the Gunners.
Though, the Emirates hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for United, not having won there in the Premier League since December 2017 – although they did triumph in the FA Cup by the same scoreline 13 months later.
The Red Devils are winless in their last four Premier League games at the league leaders, with their last win, in a now-distant FA Cup match, coming almost four years ago to the day.
Arsenal have a stronghold over the Red Devils, having won three of the last four at home
Manchester United have not won at the Emirates since a 3-1 FA Cup victory in January 2019
How the two compare
Arsenal have been a greater force through the 2022-23 season in every sense. The Gunners hold an eight-point advantage over United with Ten Hag’s team having played an extra game.
Mikel Arteta’s men have scored 42 goals in the Premier League, to United’s 30. At the back, they are more stout too, allowing 28 goals in 18 games – six less than Sunday’s opponent. Arsenal have been near-flawless at home with seven wins and a draw.
The Premier League leaders has an advantage at the back, with David de Gea perhaps the exception in between the sticks. Arsenal’s midfield also looks to be the stronger unit – particularly given the enforced absence of Casemiro for the fixture.
United’s frontline has been a terrific form of late, in particular Bruno Fernandes and Rashford. Arsenal do have the brilliance on the flanks with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. Eddie Nketiah has stepped in for Gabriel Jesus but cannot currently compare with the red-hot Rashford.
Marcus Rashford scored the winner for the Red Devils in a comeback win against Man City
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been one of the in-form players in the Premier League
Winning pedigree
Both clubs have been starved of much tangible success over the last decade, and in Arsenal’s case beyond outside of four FA Cup wins – Mikel’s Arteta’s only trophy as manager of the club back in 2020.
Few remain from the 2-0 Wembley triumph over Chelsea, with Granit Xhaka, Saka and Nketiah likely the only three to start on Sunday. Kieran Tierney and Rob Holding are the only two notable names still on the books.
While Manchester United last touched silverware under Jose Mourinho, defeating Ajax 2-0 in the 2016-17 Europa League final.
Of those involved from that night in Stockholm only Marcus Rashford, David de Gea and Phil Jones remain at Carrington.
Understandably, United are yet to come close to winning silverware under Ten Hag but remain in all four competitions – unlike their big six rivals – so, a winning culture isn’t beyond reach.
Manchester United defeated Ajax 2-0 in the Europa League Final in May 2017 under Mourinho
In happier times; Mikel Arteta and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after the 2019-20 FA Cup win
Squad cost
Naturally, as two of the Premier League’s preeminent giants, both clubs have laid out a fortune in the pursuit of perpetual success.
Narrowing it down to its 20 foremost players – including the likes of Casemiro and the absent Jadon Sancho and Gabriel Jesus – Sportsmail has assessed the cost of the likely matchday squads, and other prominent players, heading into Sunday.
United have various academy prospects like Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Scott McTominay involved United have saved themselves some sizable purchases. Though they have spent a pretty penny on their current crop, totalling £687million, according to the above caveat.
Contrastingly, Arsenal’s squad cost for this Sunday’s clash – including Jesus – sits at £400million. The Gunners don’t enjoy the same financial luxury as their northern rivals and as such have had to be shrewder in the transfer market. Gabriel Martinelli and Aaron Ramsdale are two such examples of that approach.
Aaron Ramsdale has been sensational this season for Mikel Arteta and a key man in their rise
Wage bill
Unsurprisingly, United have the vastly superior wage bill, given the experienced stars on their books.
David de Gea, Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Casemiro lead the club in terms of wages earned. According to Spotrac, the Red Devils will racked up a £166million wage bill for the 2022-23 season.
Given its younger and more unproven squad, Arsenal have a significantly lesser expense. Owner Stan Kroenke only has to foot the bill for £94milliom. A rather measly amount in comparison.
Ultimately, Sunday’s game could be a priceless one in the context of the season for either side. For Arsenal particularly, a win would only accelerate their furious charge toward an elusive Premier League title.
Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke is certainly getting his money’s worth of out the Gunners squad
Share this article
Source: Read Full Article