Arsenal were able to get the better of their old foe Manchester United on Wednesday evening.
Mikel Arteta’s side were largely comfortable as they registered a 2-0 Premier League win over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal were rarely tested defensively, but also struggled to create chances from open play and instead had to rely upon a succession of dangerous corner deliveries from Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice. Jurrien Timber and William Saliba were both able to score from said set-pieces, and sent the Gunners on their way to glory.
It was not a vintage display from the North London club, as the Red Devils did a good job of restricting space for the likes of Saka and Martin Odegaard. Ultimately, though, Arteta’s men were able to get the job done and gain ground on league leaders Liverpool.
Bukayo Saka reveals Manchester United preference
Saka is a talismanic figure at the Emirates Stadium who has been able to make an impact in many big games in his career so far. When it comes to clashes against the Gunners’ most fearsome Premier League rivals, the 23-year-old is expected to deliver.
Of course, Arsenal have a fierce rivalry with their North London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur, and look set to go head-to-head with Liverpool in the Premier League title race this season.
However, there is something about facing Manchester United that means that this fixture means more to Saka than any other.
Speaking to Amazon Prime Video (04/12/2024, 19:46), the Hale End academy graduate said: “A beautiful game to play in as an Arsenal player, a game I look forward to playing in the most.”
What makes Arsenal vs Man United so special?
The rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United has a great weight of history behind it. For a time around the turn of the millennium, the clubs were the two dominant forces in English football, consistently vying for major honours.
Martin Keown recently recalled the Arsenal vs Manchester United clashes of that era, when showdowns between the two teams were often heated, feisty, and controversial affairs.
Saka will have grown up with the memories of these encounters still very fresh at the club, which will have shaped his appreciation of the this fixture.
Saka is now part of the Arsenal leadership group, and his respect for the Manchester United rivalry will help to ensure that it endures, as his messaging in the dressing room of what this match up means will be strong.
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