The 2024/25 campaign is well underway for Arsenal however, Mikel Arteta still has his mind on one moment from last season.
Arsenal aren’t quite where they’d want to be in the Premier League table, sitting third after 16 games played.
Liverpool sit six points and a game in hand above the Gunners, putting early pressure on the race for the title.
Arteta has been told what his Arsenal squad are missing in comparison to Arne Slot’s league leaders as the campaign heats up over the festive period.
Mikel Arteta reminisces Gabriel Magalhaes moment vs Man United
Amid criticism of Arsenal’s attack this season, Arteta has made it clear that he trusts his squad despite having some clear frailties on show.
While the focus is firmly on how the 2024/25 calendar is unfolding in N5, the manager couldn’t help but reminisce on a key moment from last term.
Speaking to the media ahead of Arsenal’s EFL Cup clash against Crystal Palace, Arteta was quizzed on the magic of cup competitions.
The Spaniard refused to categorise magical moments as being notable goals or results, drawing attention to one of his favourite sequences of play in 2023/24.
“A magic moment can be Gabriel last year against Manchester United when he plays the striker offside for millimetres. That’s a magic moment as well in my opinion,” Arteta said.
The Arsenal manager named a moment of last season that very few would select as their favourite, however, upon reflection, it was a crucial intervention by Gabriel Magalhaes.
In September 2023, Arsenal beat Man United 3-1 at the Emirates in a game full of late drama.
United thought they’d taken a late lead through Alejandro Garnacho but, the Argentine’s goal was ruled out as it became clear that Gabriel had majestically altered his position to see the goal denied.
Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus then scored to rub salt into United’s wounds, on what was a memorable afternoon in N5.
Erik ten Hag struggled to move on from Arsenal vs Man United
The result was a joyous one for Arsenal, but one that Man United were left furious about.
Erik ten Hag spoke of Garnacho’s offside at the Emirates several times after the incident, initially claiming that the angle was wrong when the lines were drawn.
“It’s not offside. Wrong angle,” the former United boss fumed.
The Dutchman’s uproar after the game was comical, as even former Premier League referees addressed Ten Hag in response to his list of complaints.
Ten Hag might still be thinking of the decision that left him perplexed however, he can find comfort in the fact that Arteta is also still reflecting on the fixture.
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