Arsenal should be worried about one Man United attacker – he’s caused Mikel Arteta nightmares

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After overcoming West Ham United away from home, Arsenal will now face Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, a standout fixture on the calendar every season.

On their last two visits to Arsenal under Erik ten Hag, United lost 3-2 and then 3-1 back in 2023 – a fixture that Mikel Arteta has won more often than not.

Arsenal won the latter of those two games in dramatic fashion with Declan Rice scoring a 96th minute winner, one that was then added to by Gabriel Jesus off of the bench.

Of course, fans may notice that Arsenal failed to keep a clean sheet in either game, the last against United came back in 2021.

The reason for that? Well, it’s hard to look past one Marcus Rashford.

Marcus Rashford has a worrying record against Arsenal

Despite his struggles in recent years at Old Trafford, Rashford has always seemed to relish a fixture against Arsenal, especially since Arteta was appointed.

Interestingly, Arteta has wanted to sign Rashford according to reports, perhaps because of the difficulties he has in stopping the England international from scoring against his side.

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In his last three appearances against Arsenal in the Premier League, including two games at the Emirates Stadium, Rashford has scored four goals and provided one assist.

You’ll only find those numbers replicated elsewhere by the likes of Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane since Arteta was appointed, demonstrating the danger on Wednesday.

In addition, Rashford has benefited hugely from the arrival of Ruben Amorim, scoring three league goals in his first two games in charge.

Mikel Arteta will also face another former transfer target

Of course, Arsenal will take confidence from the fact that United are missing two key players vs Arsenal.

Amorim won’t be able to call upon the same team that dispatched Everton 4-0 on the weekend.

In addition to Rashford, it’s also worth pointing out the threat that Joshua Zirkzee could pose to Arsenal’s back line.

It looked like Arsenal avoided a mistake with Zirkzee, a player they didn’t sign despite their interest and one who went to Old Trafford instead.

But after scoring two goals himself against Everton, perhaps the Dutchman has a point to prove in north London, a player who Riccardo Calafiori knows well from Bologna.