Arteta takes on Ten Hag

Arsenal v Manchester United on Sunday is a mouth-watering prospect. Both managers are anxious to claim a strong foothold at the top of the table. There is no doubt that Mikel Arteta brought much of the grief on himself in a 2-2 draw with Fulham. Replacing Captain Martin Odegaard was a mistake and the weakness left behind after his substitution was highlighted by Gabriel Martinelli. He said after the game, “Martin has a lot of qualities and there is no one more important in the dressing room and on the pitch.

People might not see it but he is very vocal. We trust him on and off the pitch.” Mikel Arteta believes Odegaard will play an essential role against Manchester United. Gabriel Jesus could be available but Jurrien Timber and Mohamed Elneny are out with long-term injuries. Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko have come through training and Arteta is looking at bringing them into the game.

Raphael Verane, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount are definitely out. All eyes will be on new man Rasmus Hojlund who has settled into the Emirates this week and Arteta has considered putting him in the strike force. Many are criticizing Arteta asking why he keeps tinkering with his team and playing with no recognised striker when Eddie Nketiah is ready to play? ­ Erik Ten Hag is not looking forward to visiting the Emirates. Against Arsenal, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund pre-season, United pressed aggressively but when that forward movement is beaten and they lose the ball several players have struggled to get back and often Casimero has been left stranded upfield which opens up the centre for opponents to control and counter attack. Arteta has recognised this and Arsenal have trained this week to move quickly into the open spaces. Ten Hag organizes his team to make a ring around the opponent’s box 35 yards out and uses every outfield player. The danger is obvious when a successful counter attack is launched. Ten Hag intends to use that strategy again so this game could be a real roller coaster of a ride with plenty of action.

Sean Dyche has not panicked after seeing his team sitting bottom of the PL without scoring a single goal in three games. His main striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is once again injured, this time with a facial fracture and is likely to miss four or five games. Beto has been signed from Italian side Udinese and Dyche believes he is the answer to Everton’s goal-scoring pro­blems. The 25-year-old Portuguese has signed a four-year contract and trained with his new teammates on Tuesday and played in midweek and scored in a 2-1 cup win over lowly Doncaster. He said after the game, “I can bring courage, I can bring confidence and my biggest thing is effort. I love to score goals and I am here to help.” Beto was working in a Lisbon Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant only three years ago and his rapid elevation to the elite of football has made him even more determined to succeed at Everton. Beto scored 21 Serie A goals in two seasons and when I made contact he revealed that his all-time idol Samuel Eto’o played for Everton and that has made the move even more special.