Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick is confident that his side can take down league leaders Arsenal, who are riding a 22-year wait for a Premier League title. The Gunners, however, are wary of the counter-attacking threat posed by United.
Carrick, who has experience of taking on Arteta's Arsenal in 2021 while in caretaker charge, acknowledges that this will be a different challenge. "There's not much to take from that moving into this one," he said. "It's a whole new challenge, a whole new game, a whole new group of players."
The former United midfielder has taken a hands-on approach with his side as they prepare for the trip to the Emirates, where Arsenal have not lost a single game all season. Carrick is aware that Arteta's team will be tough opponents, but he is optimistic about his side's chances.
"We understand Arsenal are a good team," Carrick told Sky Sports. "They're a rounded team, to be honest. I think Mikel's done a really good job assembling a team that can do so many things well."
Carrick has praised the Gunners' ability to adapt and cause problems for their opponents. "You could see that in the Manchester derby," he said. "They have a lot of attributes to cause you problems. But as well, like every team, they have their weaknesses as well."
Arteta, meanwhile, is wary of United's counter-attacking threat having seen them punish Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in last weekend's Manchester derby. "You saw that a few days ago in Manchester," he said. "They have a lot of attributes to cause you problems. But as well, like every team, they have their weaknesses as well."
The Arsenal boss also expressed his respect for Carrick, who is known for his intelligence and control on the pitch. "One of my favourite No 6s," Arteta said. "Very intelligent, looked like he could never break sweat, he was so in control of the games."
As United look to cause an upset at the Emirates, Arteta is aware that this will be a crucial game for his team. "It's a challenge, we know that, but we can go there and we can face it head-on," Carrick said. "We've got good players and we're a good team as well, so we've just proved that."
The two managers will meet again in the punditry box on Super Sunday, but for now, they must focus on their respective teams' chances of success at Old Trafford.
Carrick, who has experience of taking on Arteta's Arsenal in 2021 while in caretaker charge, acknowledges that this will be a different challenge. "There's not much to take from that moving into this one," he said. "It's a whole new challenge, a whole new game, a whole new group of players."
The former United midfielder has taken a hands-on approach with his side as they prepare for the trip to the Emirates, where Arsenal have not lost a single game all season. Carrick is aware that Arteta's team will be tough opponents, but he is optimistic about his side's chances.
"We understand Arsenal are a good team," Carrick told Sky Sports. "They're a rounded team, to be honest. I think Mikel's done a really good job assembling a team that can do so many things well."
Carrick has praised the Gunners' ability to adapt and cause problems for their opponents. "You could see that in the Manchester derby," he said. "They have a lot of attributes to cause you problems. But as well, like every team, they have their weaknesses as well."
Arteta, meanwhile, is wary of United's counter-attacking threat having seen them punish Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in last weekend's Manchester derby. "You saw that a few days ago in Manchester," he said. "They have a lot of attributes to cause you problems. But as well, like every team, they have their weaknesses as well."
The Arsenal boss also expressed his respect for Carrick, who is known for his intelligence and control on the pitch. "One of my favourite No 6s," Arteta said. "Very intelligent, looked like he could never break sweat, he was so in control of the games."
As United look to cause an upset at the Emirates, Arteta is aware that this will be a crucial game for his team. "It's a challenge, we know that, but we can go there and we can face it head-on," Carrick said. "We've got good players and we're a good team as well, so we've just proved that."
The two managers will meet again in the punditry box on Super Sunday, but for now, they must focus on their respective teams' chances of success at Old Trafford.
so i think man utd have a solid chance against arsenal, carrick's experience and approach are gonna pay off 
and yeah i know arteta's team is super strong, but united's counter-attacking threat is pretty deadly 
if they can just get past the defense, i think their attack can cause some serious problems 
. They got Carrick at the helm and that guy's a master tactician. He knows how to nullify the opposition's strengths and expose theirs 
.
. It's gonna be a tough one for both teams, but I think United might just get it done 
. The momentum's on their side and they're feelin' confident after that last win 
.
. I mean, 22 years without a title? That's a mountain to climb. He's been in this position before but it was Arteta's team last time around. Now, with their game plan and squad depth, Arsenal are looking almost unbeatable 
.
.
, but even he can't single-handedly win a title. The odds are against United, but I love an underdog story 
! Carrick's team has been working on that, and it paid off in the last Manchester derby against City 
. I'm not sure if they can take down Arsenal, but it'll be a great test for both teams 
️. One thing's for sure, it's not going to be a 22-year wait without a fight 
carrick's got a legit shot tho, those gunners have been invincible but manchester united's counter attack game has been fire all season 
i mean they smashed man city in that derby so arteta needs to step up his defense game 
they're riding high on that 22-year title wait and have only lost once all season 
I'm loving the rivalry between these two teams 
. He's got to adapt his strategy to counter Arteta's well-oiled machine, but I reckon United have the potential to cause some chaos 
. This is gonna be a battle of wits between two experienced managers 
.
.
. The atmosphere at Old Trafford is gonna be electric 
and I'm totally rooting for United to take down those Gunners