They may not be contenders for the English Premiership League (EPL) title, but fallen giants Manchester United will play a key role in the destiny of the trophy when they host Arsenal at Old Trafford today. Kick-off is at 5:00pm.
United will either assist noisy neighbours Manchester City to get back on top of the log table or they can just succumb and pave the way for the Gunners of London to lift their first EPL title since the 2003/04 season. A win or a draw for the Red Devils will see the Cityzens have an easy finish after Arsenal took the title race down to the wire.
However, a win this afternoon for the Gunners will put City under tremendous pressure in their remaining two matches against Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
After the United clash Arsenal will be left with a last-round encounter against Everton at home.
The Londoners are leading the table with 83 points after 36 matches, while City have a game in hand to catch up. Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said they know exactly what to do to achieve their goal of winning the league title.
“We are right in it with two games to go. We need to do what we have to do. We need to go to Old Trafford and perform really well to earn the right to win the game, and if we do that, we’re going to be another step closer, but there’s still a lot to do,” Arteta was quoted on the Arsenal website ahead of the match.
“I’m just in a state at the moment where I just think about how I have to feel right now to be in the best place to beat Manchester United. I’m really enjoying the journey to win.
“We weren’t in this position for many years, and we are right now, and I think it’s our duty, our obligation, to really enjoy it, be the best we can be, and see where it takes us,” he added.
Arsenal will be buoyed by the fact that two of their stars, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, are contenders for the 2023/24 Premier League Young Player of the Season award. William has been an ever-present, playing every minute of all 36 league matches so far.
Bukayo, meanwhile, continues to hit new highs, and his 16 goals are more than he has achieved in any other campaign in his career to date. An additional nine assists mean he has a 25-goal contribution.
For the Red Devils, breakout star Kobbie Mainoo is also on the list, and the three youngsters will want to prove a point tonight and show who deserves to win the accolade.
