Ten Hag all fired up for a tough Gunners test
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is enjoying the new challenge of coaching in the Premier League.
And he is happy to admit he has been studying Arsenal in detail ahead of today’s eagerly-anticipated encounter.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners began the weekend top of the Premier League having won their five opening matches of the season and face their biggest test to date at a rocking Old Trafford.
United have recovered well from their alarming defeats to Brighton and Brentford, beating bitter rivals Liverpool before securing narrow victories on the road at Southampton and Leicester.
These are all new tests for former Ajax boss Ten Hag, who is loving life in the Premier League and looking forward to pitting his wits against Arsenal.
“It’s great and a real pleasure to face this challenge,” the Dutchman said.
“Every game is a challenge and that’s what I want, but it’s not about me. It’s about improving the team and working on progressing.
Asked if he watches every Premier League game on TV, Ten Hag said: “Yes, I watch them and my focus is especially on the upcoming opponents, so this week I watched a lot of Arsenal.
“There are a lot of different types of play in this league and that’s nice to see.
“It’s all high intensity but the systems and styles are different, and they vary – which is nice to see. But it’s also about finding a way to win against them.”
Arsenal have won their opening five Premier League matches for the first time since 2004-05 but have only won one of their last 15 league games at Old Trafford.
United will hope to make it another frustrating trip for the north Londoners, whose form over the first month of the season has impressed Ten Hag.
“What we see in this moment is that they
are on top because they deserve it,” he said. “They’re playing good football and we are really looking forward to facing them to find a way to win.”
More protests are planned against the Glazer family ownership before kick-off on today, when big-money deadline day arrival Antony could make his debut.
The Brazilian signed on at Old Trafford after they thrashed out an £84 million move with Ajax as the clock ticked down on the transfer window.
Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who joined on loan from Newcastle, could be on the bench and Casemiro is pushing for his full debut having made two substitute appearances off the bench since joining from Real Madrid.
The Brazil midfielder was a calming influence in the wins at Southampton and Leicester, which provide a platform that Ten Hag wants to build upon.
“Not only maintain but get better,” he said. “I think that has to be our idea.
“Good is not good enough, we have to do better every day. Bring the maximum on the pitch every day, individually and as a team.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta believes his side are being rewarded for sticking with their principles.
Arsenal had a difficult start last year, losing their first three matches, but the club stayed faithful to Arteta.
The Spaniard has repaid that faith by leading the Gunners to the top of the table with a flawless 15 points from their opening five matches and Arteta believes that a consistent message has helped his side’s strong start.
“For me, (managing a big club) is about being consistent,” he said.
“So when you try to bring an idea, you have a vision and you share that vision with the football club, then you take that direction and you go for it.
“And if you’re not going to go for it, then do it with someone else, but try to do something you’ve committed to with everybody.
“Because when it starts to move in other directions, I think that brings all the time a lot of chaos, a lot of uncertainties and lack of clarity, and when that happens, normally everybody disperses and everything breaks away.
“We stick together, we believed in what we did and, hopefully, we can achieve our goals.”
Arsenal’s winning start will be put to the test at Old Trafford against a United side who head into the clash on the back of those three straight wins.
And Arteta believes dealing with difficult periods are part and parcel of managing in the Premier League.
“In this league, it’s so competitive. The games are won by very small margins,” he said.
“Those periods are going to happen. You have to be ready for that and understand what kind of reaction you need, and fix that as quickly as possible.”