Man United have strengthened and will be better than last season, says Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta

LONDON – Perennial English Premier League contenders Arsenal, who have finished second three seasons running, travel to Old Trafford on Aug 17 to take on Manchester United in a much-anticipated clash of two revamped teams.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are desperate to finally clinch the coveted prize, and they face an immediate test of their title credentials against Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils, who are expected to be much stronger this time.

“They will be different (from last season),” said Arteta of United.

“The manager has had more time with them, they had a pre-season, they made some really good signings as well. Like anybody, they have strengthened and they will be better than last year, like the rest of the teams.”

“I’m super excited (for the new season). The mood in the place, the enthusiasm. The will now to win, it drives my energy.”

Desperate to break the second-place cycle, Arsenal added quality and depth in signing Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard to bolster the midfield, among other signings.

The major talking point for this big clash, however, lies in the attack.

Strikers Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are set to make their Premier League debuts for United and Arsenal respectively, after a summer that could have seen them line up for their opposition.

Arsenal were linked with a move to sign RB Leipzig’s Sesko for over a year, before deciding to bet on Sporting Lisbon’s Gyokeres as the man to fire them to a first Premier League title since 2004 for a fee that could rise to £66 million (S$115 million).

For three seasons, the Gunners were lacking a clinical finisher to take that step towards being champions. Gyokeres netted a remarkable 97 times in 102 games during two years at Sporting, much of which came under the orders of United boss Amorim.

Instead of being reunited with the Swede, Amorim has been given the resources to overhaul his attack with the signings of Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha at a combined cost of over £200 million.

During Amorim’s first year in charge, United endured their worst season since being relegated in 1974. The Red Devils finished 15th in the Premier League and failed to qualify for Europe after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur. But they have been in full rebuild mode, with expectations high.

United are aiming for a top-four finish and a return to European football. But they remain a wild card.

The big question is can Amorim quickly galvanise his new-look squad into a competitive force, or will this be another frustrating season of transition?

The United boss said that Sesko is “ready to play” but would not confirm whether he will start.

Both clubs desperately need a fast start and the battle between the two new No. 9s – should they both feature – will go a long way to deciding the outcome.

“I can say how happy we are to have him. He’s going to make a tremendous impact on the team. He has adapted really well, we are happy to have him,” added Arteta of Gyokeres.

On the team news, Gabriel Jesus is the only injury absentee for the Gunners, while Leandro Trossard should be fit following a slight groin issue.

For United, defenders Noussair Mazraoui and Lisandro Martinez are both sidelined.

In other news, Premier League referees are likely to award more penalties this season in a tougher response to players who grapple and hold opponents in the penalty area.

Howard Webb, chief operating officer of referees’ body the PGMOL, said on Aug 14 that feedback from a recent Premier League survey had highlighted “a few too many” clear holding offences going unpunished.

He said VAR could intervene in situations of “extreme non-footballing action” where a player was clearly dragging another to the ground, even off the ball.
AFP, REUTERS