Arsenal were yet to face Manchester United this season as the two clubs embarked on very different trajectories. While the Gunners had their sights on winning the title, United just wanted a route back into the Champions League which as they currently sit fourteenth in the table, seems to already have been chalked up to whoever comes in next for their first full campaign in 2025.
Arsenal were due to play United in their first game of December at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta will meet his new opponent, therefore, in just over a month’s time and will be able to analyse several games to better understand how United’s style might change in the coming weeks.
Van Nistelrooy resumes Arsenal rivalry
It has been confirmed in a statement by Manchester United who will take over in the short term: “Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”
Arteta has already faced Van Nistelrooy from his time at PSV Eindhoven. The record stands with one win each, the Gunners winning 1-0 at home in a 2022 meeting in the Europa League before a 2-0 defeat in the Netherlands.
Van Nistelrooy has been touted as a promising coach and made the decision to step down, citing a lack of support at PSV before taking the job in Manchester. Now he has the chance to test his mettle in the short term unless a new head coach is appointed quickly.
Do Arsenal care?
Yes, they definitely will care but only to a degree. Arsenal pride themselves on focusing in an introverted way, not reacting to outside factors and instead being proactive to improve the team and their own stars.
The names being mentioned: Xavi Hernandez, Thomas Frank, Eddie Howe and even Gareth Southgate are not profiles that would worry the Gunners. That is not to say that they are not all talented coaches, they are, some more than others, but the reality is Manchester United require, once again, a whole rebuild.
The dressing room, the culture and the squad need overhauling. Whether any coach on the market can do that remains to be seen but none named would see anyone honestly believe that they will do that for certain.
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