Merson Lays Out Approach Arsenal Must Take To Win At United

Merson Lays Out Approach Arsenal Must Take To Win At United

Ex-Gunner Paul Merson believes Arsenal must go to Old Trafford and frustrate Manchester United in the early stages on Monday night. The Red Devils are in very poor form, after a defeat to West Ham in the league and scraping through against Rochdale in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Merson says that the Gunners can’t let United get an early goal or the confidence will flow back into the team. He wants Unai Emery’s side to keep things tight, quieten the crowd and feel their way into the match:


“It’s difficult for Arsenal because do you go there and attack? If you have a go and United score first it’s a different game, they get their tails up and the confidence comes flooding back.”

“But if you keep it tight the crowd gets restless and United get frustrated. Arsenal can win there if they approach it in the right way.”

“Trouble is, how many times have they been in this position before, going to Old Trafford in a good place while United are struggling, and still lost?”

Whether Arsenal are capable of doing that, it remains to be seen. They have kept two clean sheets in their last three games but both of those came in cup competitions.

Against Aston Villa last time out in the league, they looked pretty open at the back, but they will be hoping United’s lack of options due to injuries will blunt their attack.