Riccardo Calafiori has already warned Arsenal about ‘very strong’ Man United star ahead of Emirates clash

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Arsenal have been in formidable form since the November international break registering three wins and scoring 13 goals in the process.

A lot of the credit for that upturn in form has to go to Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard who has returned to the starting eleven in inspired fashion.

Not only is Odegaard playing well individually, but he’s also getting the best out of Bukayo Saka as well as others around him, a true talisman at the Emirates Stadium.

That being said, Manchester United will arrive in N5 on Wednesday evening, a side who are also now flying themselves since the appointment of Ruben Amorim.

Amorim was complimentary about Arteta in the past, but that will count for very little when the duo lock horns in mid-week.

Riccardo Calafiori thinks Joshua Zirkzee can become one of the world’s best strikers

Of course, Riccardo Calafiori, who only joined Arsenal himself this summer, knows one United forward very well, someone who’ll be looking to prove a point on Wednesday.

Calafiori played alongside Joshua Zirkzee at Bologna in Italy last season, two players who were crucial in a remarkable campaign that secured Champions League football.

READ MORE: ‘It’s crazy’… Jorginho can’t believe how fans used to treat one Arsenal star

Neither stuck around to enjoy that journey this term – both taken the next step in their careers. 

And after scoring two goals for United against Everton, Zirkzee could prove a real threat against Arsenal on Wednesday.

Arsenal were interested in Zirzkee before he ended up at Old Trafford, a player Calafiori believes can go to the very top of the game.

Speaking back in November of last year via Numero Diez, Calafiori hailed the Dutchman as ‘very strong’ and backed him to join the world’s elite one day.

Calafiori said: “He is a very good and very calm boy. Seeing him up close in training is incredible; he is really very strong. He can become one of the strongest strikers in the world.”

Arsenal can’t afford to drop any points against Man United

That being said, Arsenal will also be wary of Marcus Rashford, another United forward who has often caused Arteta issues in the past.

It’s a delicately poised fixture, and one in which Arsenal simply can’t afford anything less than a win.

Liverpool are setting a relentless pace at the top of the Premier League right now, and Arsenal will have to continue to win whilst they hope that Liverpool falter – something that looks unlikely right now.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	13	11	1	1	26	8	18	34
2	ArsenalArsenal	13	7	4	2	26	14	12	25
3	ChelseaChelsea	13	7	4	2	26	14	12	25

With Odegaard and Saka in red-hot form, anything is possible, but Arsenal certainly need Newcastle United to do them a favour in mid-week.